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Joy of Painting Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Joy of Painting books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: April 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Joy of Painting series? Start with "The Joy of Painting Volume 1" (1984) and follow publication order through all 40 books.
The complete Joy of Painting reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
The Joy of Painting Volume 1
1984
The Joy of Painting Volume 2
1984
The Joy of Painting Volume 3
1985
The Joy of Painting Volume 4
1985
The Joy of Painting Volume 5
1986
The Joy of Painting Volume 6
1986
The Joy of Painting Volume 7
1986
The Joy of Painting Volume 8
1986
The Joy of Painting Volume 9
1987
The Joy of Painting Volume 10
1987
The Joy of Painting Volume 11
1987
The Joy of Painting Volume 12
1988
The Joy of Painting Volume 13
1988
The Joy of Painting Volume 14
1989
The Joy of Painting Volume 15
1989
The Joy of Painting Volume 16
1989
The Joy of Painting Volume 17
1989
The Joy of Painting Volume 18
1990
The Joy of Painting Volume 19
1990
The Joy of Painting Volume 20
1990
The Joy of Painting Volume 21
1990
The Joy of Painting Volume 22
1991
The Joy of Painting Volume 23
1991
The Joy of Painting Volume 24
1991
The Joy of Painting Volume 25
1992
The Joy of Painting Volume 26
1993
Bob Ross' New Joy of Painting: A Collection of His Favorites
1993
The Joy of Painting Volume 27
1993
The Joy of Painting Volume 28
1993
The Joy of Painting Volume 29
1994
The Joy of Painting Volume 30
1994
Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
1995
More Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
1995
Discover The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross
1998
Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting
2017
Karla: or the Weightliftress
2022
Muddled Meanderings in an Outhouse
1972
Solitary confinement: Poems
1977
Lusty Little Things
2018
Billy Above the Roofs
2021
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