This list includes 51 Art supplies that start with W, from “Walnut ink” to “Wool roving”. The items are mostly tangible materials and tools such as pigments, papers, brushes, and fibers. You can use them across painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed-media projects.
Art supplies that start with W are everyday materials and tools artists use to make visual work. Walnut ink, for example, has a long history and was used for sketches and manuscripts during the Renaissance.
Below you’ll find the table with Item, Usage, and Popular brands.
Item: The supply name listed exactly as commonly known, so you can scan quickly for the item you need.
Usage: Short practical note on how you use the supply and which common art techniques it supports.
Popular brands: One to three well-known manufacturers or brands to help you compare quality and availability quickly.
Art supplies that start with W
| Item | Type | Common Uses | Typical Size/Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watercolor | Medium | Transparent painting, washes, illustrations | Tubes 5–15 ml; pans sets 12–24 |
| Watercolor paper | Substrate | Watermedia painting, wet techniques, mixed media | Sheets A4–A3; blocks 9×12 in; 300 gsm |
| Watercolor block | Substrate | Wet washes without stretching, plein air work | Blocks 9×12 in, 12–30 sheets glued |
| Watercolor pans | Medium | Portable painting, travel, rewettable color | Single pans or sets 6–24 pans |
| Watercolor pencils | Medium/Tool | Sketching, detailed washes, mixed media | Pencil sets 12–48 |
| Water brush | Tool | On-the-go painting, blending, travel washes | Single brushes with water reservoir 5–15 ml |
| Water-soluble graphite | Medium | Sketch washes, tonal studies, expressive marks | Pencils or sticks |
| Water-soluble crayons | Medium | Bold sketches, mixed-media washes, resist effects | Sticks packs 8–24 |
| Water-mixable oil paint | Medium | Oil techniques with water cleanup, glazing | Tubes 20–200 ml |
| Water-soluble ink | Medium | Ink washes, illustration, calligraphy blends | Bottles 30–250 ml |
| Waterproof ink | Medium | Line work, archival drawing, stamping | Bottles or pens 20–50 ml |
| Water jar | Accessory | Holding rinse water for brushes, wetting palettes | Jars 250–1,000 ml |
| Water-based varnish | Accessory | Protecting acrylics, watermedia, varnishing prints | Bottles 60–500 ml |
| Watercolor ground | Medium | Priming non-absorbent surfaces for watercolor | Bottles 120–250 ml; jars |
| Wash brush | Tool | Applying large washes, backgrounds, priming | Flat or round brushes 1–3 in head |
| Wax crayon | Medium | Coloring, layering, resist techniques, sketching | Sticks packs 8–64 |
| Wax pastel | Medium | Rich color, blending, textured marks | Sticks sets 12–48 |
| Wax medium | Accessory | Encaustic effects, glazing, texture | Bottles 60–500 ml |
| Wax carving block | Substrate/Tool | Sculpting models for casting, jewelry prototypes | Blocks 50–500 g |
| Wax carving tools | Tool | Shaping carving wax, fine detail work | Sets with knives, gouges, picks |
| Wax warmer | Tool | Melting encaustic wax, craft sealing | Units 100–1,000 g capacity |
| Waxed linen thread | Accessory | Bookbinding, stitching mixed-media, repairs | Spools 10–100 m |
| Wax paper | Accessory | Palette cover, surface protection, resist | Rolls 25–100 ft |
| Wax seal | Accessory | Decorative closures, mixed-media embellishments | Kits with stamps, beads |
| Washi tape | Accessory | Masking, journaling, decorative collage | Rolls 10–30 mm; packs |
| Washi paper | Substrate | Collage, printmaking, paper crafts | Sheets A4, rolls |
| Whetstone | Tool | Sharpening knives, carving tools, blades | Stones 100–300 mm |
| White glue | Adhesive | Paper, collage, lightweight joins, school projects | Bottles 120–500 ml |
| White charcoal | Medium | Highlights on toned paper, sketching, contrast | Sticks; pencils |
| Walnut oil | Medium/Accessory | Paint medium, brush cleaning, wood finish | Bottles 60–500 ml |
| Walnut ink | Medium | Drawing, ink washes, antiquing effects | Bottles 30–120 ml |
| Waterproofing spray | Accessory | Protecting paper, textiles, outdoor artworks | Aerosol cans 200–400 ml |
| Wood panel | Substrate | Painting in oils, acrylics, mixed media | Panels 6×8 in to 24×36 in |
| Wood carving mallet | Tool | Driving chisels, controlled carving strikes | Heads 8–16 oz; handles |
| Wood glue | Adhesive | Joining wood, making frames, repairs | Bottles 120–500 ml |
| Wood filler | Accessory | Repairing dents, filling seams before finishing | Tubes or tubs 50–250 g |
| Wooden easel | Tool | Supporting canvases in studio and plein air | Tabletop 12–24 in; H‑frame 50–72 in |
| Wooden palette | Tool | Mixing paints, color tests, plein air work | Oval 9–12 in; rectangular |
| Wooden mannequin | Tool | Figure study, proportion reference, gesture posing | Articulated 6–12 in |
| Wood burning tool | Tool | Pyrography on wood, texturing surfaces, decorative marks | Pens 15–25 W |
| Wire armature | Material | Building sculpture supports, armatures for clay | Coils 1–3 mm; rolls 5–25 m |
| Wire mesh | Material | Armature bulk, papier‑mâché support, structure | Rolls 0.5–2 m wide |
| Wire brush | Tool | Texturing clay, cleaning surfaces, distressing | Heads 50–150 mm |
| Wire cutters | Tool | Trimming armature wire, jewelry, sculpture work | Cutters 4–8 in |
| Wool roving | Material | Felting, wet felting, fiber art, stuffing | Bags 50–500 g |
| Wool felt | Material | Appliqué, pads, cushioning, mixed media | Sheets 9×12 in; rolls |
| Wax seal kit | Accessory | Sealing envelopes, decorative attachment, collage | Kits with stamp, wax beads |
| Water-soluble charcoal | Medium | Sketching that can be blended into washes | Sticks or pencils |
| Waterproof paper | Substrate | Outdoor sketches, maps, mixed-media resistant work | Sheets A4; rolls |
| Waterproofing wax | Accessory | Protecting leather, fabric, and woodworking surfaces | Tins 50–200 g |
| Waterproof marker | Tool | Permanent lines, mixed-media, outdoors | Pens assorted nib sizes |
Descriptions
Watercolor
Pigmented water-soluble paint used for luminous, transparent washes and glazing. Sold in tubes or compact pans. Brands: Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Sennelier.
Watercolor paper
Absorbent, sized paper available in hot/cold press or rough textures; designed to resist buckling and accept water-based paints. Brands: Arches, Canson, Strathmore.
Watercolor block
Pads of watercolor paper glued at the edges to prevent warping; peel sheets when dry for flat results. Brands: Canson, Strathmore, Arches.
Watercolor pans
Dry cakes of watercolor pigment in small pans that are activated with water; compact and easy to transport. Brands: Kuretake, Winsor & Newton, Sakura.
Watercolor pencils
Pencils with water-soluble pigment that can be drawn dry then blended with water to produce watercolor effects. Brands: Faber-Castell, Derwent, Caran d’Ache.
Water brush
Brush with built-in water reservoir for controlled wetting; useful for sketching and watercolor washes outdoors. Brands: Pentel, Kuretake, Sakura.
Water-soluble graphite
Graphite formulated to dissolve and spread with water for wash effects and smudgy tonal work. Brands: Derwent, Caran d’Ache, Koh‑i‑Noor.
Water-soluble crayons
Crayons with water-soluble binders that can be activated into washes or layered dry for texture. Brands: Faber‑Castell, Caran d’Ache, Stabilo.
Water-mixable oil paint
Oil paints engineered to be thinned and cleaned with water instead of solvents; behave like traditional oils. Brands: Winsor & Newton, Holbein, Schmincke.
Water-soluble ink
Inks that dissolve in water for blending, washes, and atmospheric effects; suitable for pens and brushes. Brands: Higgins, Winsor & Newton, Kuretake.
Waterproof ink
Pigmented inks formulated to resist water once dry for permanent lines and mixed-media layering. Brands: Sakura Pigma, Dr. Ph. Martin’s.
Water jar
Simple container for brush cleaning and mixing water; often glass or plastic with wide mouth for easy access.
Water-based varnish
Varnish formulated to be thinned and cleaned with water; provides protective, often removable, finish over water-based paints. Brands: Liquitex, Golden.
Watercolor ground
A primer that creates an absorbent, textured surface on canvas or board so watercolor behaves properly. Brands: Golden, Winsor & Newton.
Wash brush
Large, soft-bristled brushes (natural or synthetic) designed to cover broad areas quickly with washes. Brands: Raphael, Isabey.
Wax crayon
Opaque wax sticks for bold, colorful marks; inexpensive and widely used in schools and studios. Brands: Crayola, Sennelier.
Wax pastel
Soft, wax-based pastels with creamy texture and strong pigment for expressive drawing and mixed media. Brands: Sennelier, Stabilo, Mungyo.
Wax medium
Beeswax or synthetic wax mediums used to modify paint body, create translucency, or as an encaustic base. Brands: R&F, Gamblin, Golden.
Wax carving block
Blocks of carving wax used to model items for lost‑wax casting and prototyping in jewelry and sculpture. Brands: Rio Grande, Harz-Loss.
Wax carving tools
Hand tools designed for cutting and carving wax blocks cleanly for model-making and casting. Brands: Flexcut, Kemper.
Wax warmer
Electric or heated devices used to melt and keep encaustic or sealing wax at workable temperature. Brands: R&F Encaustics, Art Clay.
Waxed linen thread
Strong, coated linen thread that slides through leather and paper easily and holds knots—popular in bookbinding and craft. Brands: C‑Lon, Fil Au Chinois.
Wax paper
Greaseproof, low‑tack paper used to protect surfaces, cover palettes, or for resist and craft techniques. Brands: Reynolds.
Wax seal
Sealing wax beads or sticks melted and impressed with a stamp for decorative accents on paper, packaging, or art pieces.
Washi tape
Thin, repositionable Japanese paper tape with low tack; used for borders, masking, and decorative detail. Brands: MT, Scotch.
Washi paper
Traditional Japanese fiber paper prized for strength, translucency, and archival qualities in collage and printmaking. Brands: Itoya, Awagami.
Whetstone
Abrasive stone used to sharpen chisels, knives, and carving tools to a fine edge; comes in coarse to fine grits. Brands: Naniwa, King.
White glue
Liquid PVA adhesive known for versatility, dries clear, easy to sand and paint over. Brands: Elmer’s, Titebond.
White charcoal
Compressed or vine charcoal formulated to lay down opaque white highlights on toned or dark papers. Brands: General’s, Cretacolor.
Walnut oil
Natural drying oil used as an oil-paint medium and wood finish; less toxic than some solvents. Brands: Gamblin, Liberon.
Walnut ink
Ink made from walnut husks producing warm brown tones; favored for sketches, calligraphy, and aged effects. Brands: Higgins, Natural Earth Paint.
Waterproofing spray
Sprays that add water repellency to surfaces like paper, fabric, and mixed-media pieces for protection. Brands: Krylon, Scotchgard.
Wood panel
Rigid painting surface made from plywood, MDF, or solid wood; often pre-primed for paint adhesion. Brands: Ampersand, Strathmore.
Wood carving mallet
Wooden mallet designed to strike carving tools with control and reduced rebound for woodcarving. Brands: Pfeil, Two Cherries.
Wood glue
PVA or aliphatic adhesives formulated for woodworking; sandable and paintable when dry. Brands: Titebond, Gorilla.
Wood filler
Putty-like material for filling holes and gaps in wood; sands smooth and accepts paint or stain. Brands: Elmer’s, Minwax.
Wooden easel
Adjustable support for canvases—available in portable tripod or stable studio H-frame constructions. Brands: Mabef, H‑Frame by Blick.
Wooden palette
Traditional wood palette, often oiled or sealed; provides warm surface and comfortable mixing area.
Wooden mannequin
Jointed wooden figure model used by artists to study basic human proportions and dynamic poses. Brands: Staedtler, General’s.
Wood burning tool
Electric tool for controlled burning on wood and leather to create lines, shading, and texture. Brands: Walnut Hollow, Razertip.
Wire armature
Flexible steel or aluminum wire used to create skeletons for sculptures and models, providing structure and poseability.
Wire mesh
Metal mesh used in sculpture to build volume over armatures or as support for plaster and textiles.
Wire brush
Handheld brush with metal bristles for removing rust, creating texture, or prepping surfaces for adhesives or finishes.
Wire cutters
Hand tool for cutting and snipping wire and small metal components cleanly; essential for armature work.
Wool roving
Soft, carded wool used in needle felting, wet felting, and textile sculpture; available in many colors. Brands: Lion Brand, Ashford.
Wool felt
Dense fabric made from matted wool fibers used in crafts, costume, and surface protection. Brands: Fairfield, Pellon.
Wax seal kit
Complete set with stamp and sealing wax beads for melting and impressing decorative seals on paper and packaging.
Water-soluble charcoal
Charcoal designed to dissolve and spread when wet, allowing for soft tonal washes and easy blending. Brands: Conte, General’s.
Waterproof paper
Synthetic, water-resistant paper that accepts ink and pencil while remaining dimensionally stable when wet. Brands: Rite in the Rain.
Waterproofing wax
Beeswax-based product used to add water resistance and surface protection to porous materials like leather and wood. Brands: Fiebing’s.
Waterproof marker
Markers with water-resistant, pigmented inks for archival drawing, labeling, and mixed-media work. Brands: Sharpie, Sakura Pigma.