The most easily distinguished characteristics of folk art as a whole relate to materials and techniques. Most commonly used were the natural substances that cane readily to hand. Although various materials that have little or no place in sophisticated art, such as straw. The folk artists evolved simpler methods of their own. Cut tin, in silhouette shapes or decorated by hand painting or pricking.
Folk art is by no means restricted to characteristic regional groups or rural arts.
There are various folk manifestations within an urban environment, particularly in connection with the celebrative arts, which have a strong traditional hold. Folk art reflects conventional, proverbial wisdom, old superstitions, sentimental themes, and religious beliefs that have long since ceased to be orthodox in the larger society. Folk art also is much taken up with celebrating the major acts and events in people's lives such as births, baptisms, birthdays, marriages, funerals, and anniversaries along with such communal activities as planting and harvesting and the routine of daily work. There are many types of folk art such as paintings, sculptures, and architecture. Walls were frequently decorated with geometric or floral designs and sometimes with scenes.