Warli paintings are painted on the walls within the houses of warli tribe people; on both sides of the door and on the outside walls of the huts. The walls of Warli houses consist of bamboo sticks and strips. They are covered with layers of clay and cowdung. Once the walls are leveled, Warli women paint images on them. These paintings are done by small thin twigs immersed in white paint prepared from rice powder. Natural pigments, prepared from material readily available to them, are employed in tribal paintings. Warlis have only recently begun to paint in water colours and oils on paper and canvas.

Warli paintings have gained quite popularity in recent days. Mr. Jiva Soma Mhase, the Warli painter, is the President's Award holder and has also toured England, France, Germany, Norway etc. Warli painting has gone beyond its cultural limits and earned universal popularity on the international art platform. This Warli tribe inhabits primarily the coastal region of Maharashtra State. Warlis inhabit Jawhar, Vikramgad, Mokhada, Dahanu and Talasari talukas of northern Palghar district, Nashik and Dhule regions and Navapur taluka of Nandurbar of Maharashtra.

Marriage ceremony paintings done on the walls are referred to as "Devchowk". Painting Devchowk is referred to as "Devchowk Lihine" (Writing a Devchowk). Married women paint them. Married women alone paint pictures outside these Devchowks.

The ceremonial paintings are referred to as the "Pachwis". Pachwis are painted in large numbers on Diwali and Nag Panchami festivals. Devchowks are connected with sacred wedlock. Therefore, images of gods and goddesses predominate in these paintings. In contrast to Devchowks, Pachvi paintings do not have any specific theme. The themes can range from human feelings, social sentiments, to nature etc. Tribals are of the opinion that life is present everywhere. They believe that painting a picture is akin to giving life.

The Social life of the inhabitants is recorded through circle, square, triangle & short wall. Painting usually encircles the subjects of fishes, trees, hunting, dances & animals. The essence of tribal paintings lies in their expression through simple lines. But it is possible that a symbol could be used in another painting in a totally different context. The tribal paintings are not bound by the rules of art and aesthetics commonly accepted by us.