Who is Bill Alexander from "The Magic of Oil Painting"?

Bill Alexander was a Prussian painter born in 1915. His television program, "The Magic of Oil Painting," preceded Bob Ross' "The Joy of Painting." Alexander was Ross' mentor and taught him the "wet on wet" technique that later made him famous.

Bill Alexander was drafted into the German army during World War II and was later captured by Allied forces. He painted portraits of Allied officers' wives and made himself notable, making it easier for him to get to the United States. The wet on wet technique he used allowed him to layer oil colors and mix them on the canvas without waiting for them to dry. Monet and Van Gogh also used this method.