Mgiese84 hey Matt, I use a lot of synthetic brushes like liner ones (I am mainly painting in watercolors) and I have tried several products. But I found the best quality is offered by brand Da Vinci. As far as I know it’s a German brand. Not sure if it is available in the USA. But yet I replaced all my synthetic brushes (flat, round etc..) I use for my watercolors with this brand. Also my liner for oils.
I have yet to find a decent replacement "brush". think 2 inch 
. Alexander At is harder to find but this may given them a uptick in business. OMS.. I've posted before about this. There is nothing magically about it or any of the brands when you pull the data sheets. For the past year I've been using BBQ lighter fluid which is OMS with a different use label and much cheaper price. Not all are the same tho.. I can post exactly which I'm using. again, I pulled the safety data sheets which details exactly what is in it. I agree with Gamblin 1980 oils. Work really well with Bob's style. Surprisingly, I found the Blick house brand to work pretty well too. I prefer to use Rembrant and Winsor/Newton but I would not recommend either to a new painter. I buy my canvas in bulk at Blick or Michaels. They look to be the exact same canvas and within pennies when on sale. I don't "beat the devil" out of my brush anymore.. as much fun as it is.. I use paper shop towels to dry the brushes. Really cuts down the spray, mist and mess.
Tom0779 I bought a da vinci on ebay which sort of suggests you could get them worldwide.
wybnormal thanks for taking the time to comment. I will be checking out Gamblin 1980 as a new source for paint. BRI will not see another dime from me going forward.
Thanks for all your input! I've summed it up in an article here: https://blog.twoinchbrush.com/article/the-best-alternatives-to-bob-ross-brand-painting-supplies/
Felix Thanks for the great article on alternatives!
I'm in Australia, and I've taken to several brands to get the colours I want: Gamblin 1980 is very nice, also Schmincke College Oils. I also use Art Prism/Art Spectrum, although these are a little thinner, along with Marie's Economical Oils (make sure they are genuine, several places sell rip-offs). For beginning, Mont Marte makes a decent set of oil paints, as well as gesso. For brushes, I got Omega (series 51) and NEEF brushes. Canvas I use a range of brands, but the ones I like best are Born (380gsm), and Mont Marte (280gsm).
I am searching a real firm titanium white. Vang Gogh is no alternative, it is much too soft. Does anyone know a BRand which offers a real firm white and is available in Europe?
Thank you.
An alternative to "soft" whites is to mix in some impasto additive.. this adds body to the paint so it retains brushstrokes and peaks etc for texture. It would still require a deft hand but its a work around until you can find a sub for the firm paint. Here is a good article on three ways to thicken up the paint
https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2018/04/24/3-ways-to-thicken-your-oil-paint-for-impasto-techniques/
here is some marble dust.. I might have to play with this one myself
https://www.naturalpigments.com/marble-dust-fine.html
wybnormal Thank you, This is a very useful information here!
I generally mix and match whatever paints I have on hand. In the United States, Jerry's Artarama sells a brand called Lukas 1862 (they also have a student grade Lukas paint). These paints are a little on the thick side and remind me of Bob Ross paints. The only colors that don't map well are Sap Green (I opt for Green Earth in Lukas paints) and Midnight Black, which I just mix myself from whatever's available if I'm out.
TheLandscapePainter I actually got a Kevin Hill script liner brush. As first I wasn't 100% sure it would do the trick (it has much longer bristles than the BR script liner brush). However after a few times using it I love it. And actually I can make much finer tree limbs and such with it.
dracula Thanks dracula for the hint with the Lukas 1862 paints. It is a German brand (the "k" should already told me), so I have it available here. I will try that too.
wybnormal oh, great to know. I have been to Michael's store but I felt like they are more expensive than other stores. I do buy home items, colors, and canvas in bulk at Blick or Michaels. Ken Bromley Oil Paints have a similar consistency to the thicker Bob Ross oil paints. Many people also use Daler Rowney Georgian Oils, or Winsor & Newton Winton. Have you ever heard people at Michael's store chuckling about the price match policy? If you buy a qualifying item on Michaels.com, then find the identical item for less at Michaels.com, as an eligible online retailer, in a Michaels printed or digital ad, you can match that price and then beat it by 10%.
Here in Australia it is very difficult to buy Bob Ross paints in the full colour range. The tubes that came with my Deluxe painting set were "old stock" with labels coming off and the oil separating from the pigment...some tubes even leaking oil...not ideal for a new painter. At the moment the USA is not exporting much of anything so..is there a reliable supplier here in Aus. for Bob Ross paints?
Hi everyone. I'm new to the community - excited to be here.
Da Vinci has a massive range of brushes. Does anyone know which brush is a good alternative to the Bob Ross brush?
Tom0779 Thanks Tom
Da Vinci has a massive range of brushes. Does anyone know which brush is a good alternative to the Bob Ross brush?
Sorry, but nope. Nothing about da Vinci brushes. Check if Alexander Art store carry their brushes as Bill was Bobs teacher.
