SketchBox is a monthly subscription box for art supplies. Each month, they'll send you 4-9 art supplies (often full kits) plus a piece of art to inspire you. The items included are for 2D media, such as pens, markers, pencils, paints, etc.
This is a review of the $35/month Premium box. SketchBox also offers a $25/month Basic box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first box!
CODE: SKETCH5
Last month when I wrote this review, we had 24 days of school left, and this month, we are heading into our last day TODAY! While the year has been challenging and a little bit crazy, I will miss the kiddos during the summer. That being said: BRING ON SUMMER VACAY! This month's SketchBox is the epitome of summer featuring brilliant colors and fun art. I just couldn't wait to slosh these magnificent colors onto paper! Read below to see what we discovered.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
1 of 3
SketchBox runs an ongoing contest to put a subscriber's artwork on the lid of their box. This months featured art was created by Jennifer Leigh and included a fun portrait. Jennifer has some amazing art featured on her Instagram page - you NEED to check out her resin mushrooms! Included in this box is information regarding how to enter the monthly contest on the info card. Check it out if you are interested.
What's Inside the Box
Content Card
1 of 2
Each month we receive a content list of all this month's featured products, along with a short summary of each item and listed retail prices. Also included is a QR code for the SketchBox school where you can learn how to use the materials, try different techniques, and even create your own piece of artwork.
Artist Card
1 of 2
This month's artist card was created by Sophie Paradis and exhibits some really fun doodles. Sophie works with a multitude of mediums and showcases her vibrant work through the botanical and natural worlds. She actually has a variety of work on display at The Marquee in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC! More of Sophie's work can be found on her instagram page @sophieparadis_art or at Sophie-paradis.com. Check it out, she is extremely talented!
Sticker
This month's sticker features three of the four reactive ink bottles that we received this month and the SketchBox logo. Bright and cheery, just in time for summer.
Custom Hero Arts Reactive Ink - Retail Value $23.96
1 of 2
This month the headliner was definitely this set of reactive inks. In beautiful hues of blue raspberry, fruit punch, lemon drop, and fog, the brilliance cannot be beat. Offering striking color and a variety of hues when mixed, these inks can be diluted to create subtle washes, or uses straight up for opaque layers. Once dry these inks can be reactivated with water, and a variety of textures can be created. Honestly, these inks were quite thick and the brilliance really showed through. These are much more pigmented than watercolor and would work well on illustrations. I was impressed with the color choices and was really intrigued to give these a try as I don't have a lot of experience with inks. I'm happy to report that I loved the look of these inks, and have big plans for this medium!
Copic MultiLiner - Retail Value $3.99
1 of 2
Everybody loves a multiliner! While I have this handy pen in quite a few shades, pink is not one of them, and for this inclusion I am thankful! I love writing my notes at school in these pens, and while it did blend amazingly well with this month's ink colors, I might just have to put this aside for my main writing tool next year at school. Or maybe I should just order a pack! Because this fineliner is waterproof, it is perfect for outlining and graphic details. These pens really can't be beat!
SketchBox Signature White Gel Pen - Retail Value $3.59
1 of 2
Gel pens are amazing, and I'm not just saying that because I grew up in the 90s. While white obviously isn't a good note taking color for a pen, it is definitely helpful in adding highlights and texture detail over this month's included inks. I did notice that this particular version is a little lighter than other brands, but did like the subtle look it gave over a highly pigmented one.
KingArt Gold 9000 Series Round Brush Size 4 - Retail Value $9.99
1 of 2
Brushes are always a win for me and this round number 4 brush is definitely where it's at. I love to watercolor and prefer a small brush like this to create fine details. The handle is smooth and comfortable, fitting perfectly in my hand. The quality is evident, and I was happy to add this to my collection.
Magnani 104 Pescia White - Retail Value $7.99
1 of 2
The last item we received was a set of 10 sheets of 100% cotton, 250gsm, 4"X6" smooth-textured paper. While not extremely thick feeling, this took on the reactive ink extremely well and only minutely bled through where I was very heavy handed with the ink. The corners of my paper did not curl, and it is the perfect size for a postcard or small framed piece!
Testing
Look at those beautiful colors! Oh summer, I have missed you so much!
SketchBox June Project
1 of 3
Obviously with all of these summer feels I had to utilize my reactive inks this month in flower fashion. We just got our garden planted and I've already been grounded by my husband from the local greenhouse after 5 trips. Whoops! This month I found a little inspiration on Pinterest, but my version ended up in a totally different direction, which I have to say, I preferred. Using all of this month's supplies, I first tested out the inks in some circular patterns. They were much more pigmented than watercolors, but blended out really smoothly. Once the ink was dry, I utilized the fineliner to create some petal details. Utilizing the white gel pen, I added some highlights and dots, followed by a black fineliner to outline. Fun!!
The Verdict
SketchBox is an extremely fun subscription. You just never know what you might receive, and I just love any opportunity to let the creativity flow. Because life is so busy, I sometimes have to schedule in art time, and this box helps me do that. Receiving high quality supplies that coordinate and flow together is a huge necessity for me, and really takes the anxiety of shopping out of the equation. Through this month's box, I discovered new mediums, and received one of my favorite pens ever! Hooray for SketchBox! I already can't wait to see what I will discover next month!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Value Breakdown:
Because most of this month’s products were custom sizes or custom made for SketchBox, it was hard to determine an accurate retail value. BUT, now you can purchase some individual products from the Sketch Shop, making it easier to buy more of the items you love! The included contents card had a $49.52 value, which is almost $15 over the cost of the box! Because we received exclusive launch items and this amazing of a curation, I felt this was a decent value, and a great way to try items I may not have discovered otherwise.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? According to SketchBox's website, the cutoff to purchase the June box was May 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first box!
CODE: SKETCH5
What do you think of SketchBox?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.