Guide to Art & Craft Supplies for Kenyan Schools.

Art and craft are woven into Kenyan education and culture. From the vibrant visual arts programmes in CBC schools to the thriving community of hobbyist crafters, textile artists, and small creative businesses across Nairobi and beyond, the demand for quality art and craft materials in Kenya has never been stronger.

Yet sourcing the right supplies can feel complicated. Which paints are suitable for which ages? What is the difference between cartridge paper and drawing paper? What does a well-stocked school art room actually need? This guide answers all of those questions, covering every major category of art and craft supplies available in Kenya.

Drawing and Sketching Supplies

Drawing is the foundation of almost all visual art. A well-stocked drawing kit starts with:

• HB, 2B, and 4B pencils — different grades produce different line weights and tonal ranges
• A good quality eraser — kneaded erasers are preferred by serious artists as they lift graphite without damaging paper
• A sharpener, ideally with a barrel to catch shavings
• Cartridge paper or drawing paper — heavier than standard writing paper and designed to take pencil and ink without feathering
• A 30cm ruler for technical drawing
• Fine-liner pens for detailed illustration work

For schools, buying pencils and erasers in class packs rather than individually reduces cost significantly and ensures every student has what they need.

Painting Supplies

Poster Paints (Tempera)

Poster paints are the standard for primary school art in Kenya. They are water-based, non-toxic, easy to clean, and come in bold, opaque colours that work beautifully on paper and card. They dry quickly, which is practical in a classroom setting. Buy in sets or individual large bottles for frequently used colours like red, blue, yellow, white, and black.

Watercolours

Watercolour paints are translucent and water-activated, producing beautiful washes of colour. They are used at both school level and by adult hobbyists and professional artists. Watercolour pans (the small disc format) are more portable and school-friendly, while tube watercolours offer more paint for serious hobbyists.

Acrylic Paints

Acrylics are versatile, fast-drying, and permanent when dry. They work on canvas, wood, fabric, paper, and most surfaces. They are increasingly popular with Kenyan hobbyists and craft businesses producing painted products for sale. Acrylics can also be used to paint on fabric for custom textile designs, making them particularly relevant in Kenya’s active craft community.

Paper and Card

Not all paper is equal for art and craft work. Key types include:

• Drawing/cartridge paper — 120gsm to 160gsm, suitable for pencil, ink, and light washes
• Watercolour paper — 200gsm to 300gsm, with texture that holds water without warping
• Coloured card (manila paper) — essential for school craft projects, mounting, and card making
• Tissue paper — used for collage, decoupage, and decorative craft work
• Plain A4 paper — useful for printing templates, practice sketches, and craft planning

Craft Tools and Accessories

Beyond drawing and painting, a well-equipped craft kit includes:

• Scissors — child-safe rounded for primary school, standard sharp for secondary and adult use
• Glue — PVA (white craft glue) for general craft, glue sticks for paper work, and hot glue guns for more advanced projects
• Rulers and set squares — for geometric art and technical illustration
• Compasses — for circle drawing in both art and mathematics
• Hole punches and paper clips — for organising and presenting artwork
• Rubber stamps and ink pads — popular for card making and decorative projects

Craft Supplies for Textile and Fabric Work

Kenya has a rich tradition of textile crafts, and a growing number of hobbyists and small businesses work with fabric. Supplies for textile craft include weaving tools (dowel looms, shuttles, beaters), fabric paints, fabric dyes, needles and thread, and embroidery hoops. Bienville Supplies stocks textile craft materials including VAT dyes for more advanced dyeing work.

Buying Art Supplies in Bulk for Schools

Schools with active art programmes benefit significantly from buying supplies in bulk at the start of each term. A bulk order of poster paints, drawing paper, pencils, and brushes reduces per-unit cost and ensures continuity of the art programme throughout the term without emergency supply runs.

Bienville Supplies works with Kenyan schools to provide customised bulk art supply orders at competitive pricing. Contact our team at www.bienvillesupplies.co.ke to discuss your school’s art supply requirements.