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FAQ

What materials are used in traditional African art?

Traditional African art uses a wide range of locally available materials, which vary by region and culture. Common materials include:

  • Wood for masks and carved figures.
  • Metals like bronze and copper for cast sculptures and jewelry.
  • Textiles such as woven cloth, beads, and dyed fabrics.
  • Ceramics and clay for pottery and figurines.
  • Natural pigments and dyes from plants, minerals, and charcoal for painting and body art.

Materials and techniques reflect cultural traditions and purpose—ceremonial, decorative, or everyday use—so styles and supplies can differ widely across communities.

What art supplies work best on black paper?

Black paper calls for opaque, high-contrast media to make colors show up well. Good choices include:

  • Gel pens and metallic markers for fine lines and highlights.
  • Acrylic paint or gouache for solid, vibrant coverage.
  • Colored pencils with high pigment and soft pastels/oil pastels for blending and texture.
  • White or light-colored inks for crisp details.

Tip: test on a scrap first, work in layers from light to dark, and use a fixative for pastels to reduce smudging. Look for products described as "opaque" or "high-pigment" when shopping.

Which type of paint should I choose as a beginner?

For beginners, consider how you want to work—drying time, cleanup, and surface matter. A few beginner-friendly options:

  • Acrylics: water-based, quick-drying, and versatile on many surfaces; easy cleanup with soap and water.
  • Watercolors: portable and great for transparent, layered effects; requires practice with water control.
  • Oils: offer long working time and rich blending but need ventilation and solvents; they have a steeper learning curve.

Start with student-grade tubes or sets to practice technique, choose compatible paper or canvas, and consider ease of cleanup and workspace ventilation when deciding.

How can I tell if a painting is authentic?

Authenticating art often requires several steps and expert input. Practical ways to start include:

  • Check provenance: look for bills of sale, gallery records, or prior ownership history.
  • Examine the work: study signatures, materials, and technique compared to known examples.
  • Seek documentation: certificates or exhibition records can help but aren’t always definitive.
  • Get a professional opinion: a certified appraiser, conservator, or reputable gallery can provide condition reports and may recommend scientific testing.

For higher-value purchases, a formal appraisal or lab analysis can provide more reliable information, but results may vary by case.

Where can I find coupons for art supplies at Walmart?

There are a few convenient ways to look for discounts and coupons for art supplies at Walmart:

  • Walmart app and website: check the digital coupons and product pages for current offers.
  • Email list and account offers: signing up can deliver targeted deals and promo notifications.
  • Weekly ad and savings section: browse store promotions and categories for seasonal markdowns.
  • Pickup and shipping options: sometimes offers are tied to online orders or in-store pickup.

Always review coupon terms at checkout and combine eligible offers where allowed. Availability and offers can change, so check frequently before you buy.

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About Art Supplies - Walmart.com

What to look for when shopping for art supplies

If you've decided you want to explore your creative side, you'll need a few artist supplies. Whether you're interested in sketching, painting, or working with pastels, you can find just the products you need to get started. When you're ready to go shopping for paint, brushes, sketchbooks, and more, take advantage of a few handy tips.

Paint

Few art forms allow budding artists to express creativity like painting. If you're just learning to paint, choose watercolor or acrylic paints. These easy-mix paints are water-based, so you won't need paint thinners for cleaning up. When shopping for watercolors, choose a set featuring eight to 10 transparent colors. If you're looking for acrylic paints, opt for heavy body paints that can be diluted with water if needed. Choose at least six colors including red, green, blue, yellow, black, and white, as these colors can be mixed to make many other colors.

Paint brushes

Once you've made a decision about paints, you'll need a few paint brushes. Paint brushes come in many shapes and sizes, so you may want to start with a beginner's set, which typically includes a variety of brushes for producing different paint strokes and techniques.

Paint brushes feature natural bristles made from animal hair or synthetic bristles made from nylon, polyester, or a blend of the two. Because brushes with natural bristles are more expensive, beginners often turn to synthetic brushes at first. As you get more comfortable with painting, experiment with both types of brushes to see which kind you prefer.

Art and drawing markers

If you like to create vibrant colored drawings or if you enjoy adult coloring books, art markers are for you. Depending on how many colors you desire, you can find packages of eight, 24, and even 72 markers, and they come in different styles.

For markers that write on paper, canvas, glass, metal, and more, choose opaque paint pen markers in an oil or water base. These markers provide a colorful matte finish that doesn't bleed or fade. If you need markers that produce fine details, shade, and blend, go for markers that feature a fine tip on one end and a broad tip on the other.

Colored pencils

Whether you need a small package of eight or a jumbo pack of 100, colored pencils are unique tools for drawing and coloring. When shopping for colored pencils, quality counts. Look for pencils labeled "professional" or "artist." These typically have more pigment in the lead, which translates to richer color. If you want your colored pencils to blend easily, choose products that feature an oil base over those with a wax base.

Art kits

If you're looking to buy lots of art supplies in one handy package, shop for an art kit. Many art kits feature wooden or leather cases with handles and locking clasps, making them great for art classes and travel.

For a deluxe art kit, shop for one with a sketch pad, a watercolor pad, watercolor paints, paint brushes, mixing trays, oil pastels, colored pencils, drawing pencils, a sharpener, a ruler, an eraser, and a color wheel. Art kits make a good option if you're interested in many types of art.

Sketchbooks

If you're learning to draw, a sketchbook is a must-have. These handy pads can be used for practicing composition, shading, smudging, and more drawing techniques. A sketchbook also helps you keep your creative ideas in one handy place. In addition to drawing in your sketchbook, you can plan out paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.

If you're a beginning drawer, start with a sketchbook measuring 9 x 12 inches and look for sketch paper with a medium-weight thickness of 80 pounds. Choose a hardbound sketchbook over a wire-bound version if you want the option of creating larger drawings that spread from one page to another.

Canvases

To a painter, a fresh canvas offers unlimited possibilities. Essentially, a canvas is fabric stretched over a wooden frame. Once stretched and stapled, the fabric is primed for painting with a substance called gesso.

If you're shopping for a budget-friendly art canvas, pick one made from cotton duck fabric. If you're looking for a higher-quality canvas, choose one made from linen. This fabric has a tighter weave than cotton, which means it's more durable and more resistant to mold and mildew. While many canvases are designed for both oil and acrylic paint, it's a good idea to read the label before making your purchase.

Easels

An easel offers a number of benefits to a painter. It helps create a more accurate painting, and working vertically prevents dust from settling on the paint. If you enjoy painting outdoors, choose a light, portable easel that folds up easily. If you work in a studio, pick a larger, heavier easel, and if you want to set up an easel in your home or apartment, you may want to consider a tabletop easel.