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
The saying "time flies when you're having fun" sure is resonating with me at this particular time of my life. I swear, it was just last week when I was typing up my March review, and here we are at the beginning of April already. It is absolutely mind blowing! How is it possible that life can go by so quickly, when it seriously took FOREVER to turn 21?! Anyways, because life is so much fun, (and so insanely busy), I have had to be a lot more intentional about putting time aside for creativity. That being said, this month's SketchBox arrived just in time. Read below to see what we discovered this month and what we created with it.
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
SketchBox runs an ongoing contest to put a subscriber's artwork on the lid of their box. This month's featured art was created by @karla_cordova_m and is of a beautiful bird. 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 Booklet
In the past, our content card came printed on a postcard-sized piece of cardstock. This month, we received an 8.5" X 11" pamphlet featuring the boxes contents, a QR code for the SketchBox school where you can learn how to use the materials, other tips, and even information for your chance at a giveaway!
Artist Card
This month's artist card was created by Alex Louisa and showcases a beautiful moth. More of Alex's art can be found on her Instagram page @alexlouisa_. Check her out, she is very talented!
Custom PanPastel Set - Retail Value $24.87
Pastels are a media that I struggle a little bit with. Obviously they are a little messy, and they just don't flow like watercolor does. That being said, I do appreciate trying new things, and did love the brilliant hues we received this month. With a Violet, Magenta, and Burnt Sienna pan, these colors not only wowed in their container, but on paper as well. With colors that are lightfast, and fully erasable, this was a neat kit, as it also included two sponges and an applicator wand. Everything you need to create a pretty piece of artwork, this was a great starter kit.
Gold Faber Colored Pencils - Retail Value $2.90
Colored pencils are always a useful tool when it comes to any medium. These Gold Faber ones are beautiful in color and top notch in quality. With a waxy tip, these glide across the paper leaving a beautiful line, and help create clean edges, all while adding texture. I love the fact that these colored pencils coordinate with the pastel pans, and have already utilized these in other artwork as well.
PanPastel Sofft Tools - Retail Value $8.35
Although we received an applicator wand in the pastel pan, we also received a long wand applicator with three other tips. This was a great inclusion, as the textured surface of this months paper chewed up the tips a bit. Similar to an eyeshadow applicator, this worked great for building up color, and blending.
Art Spectrum Colourfix Pastel Paper - Retail Value $12.50
The last item we received was a pack of 4" X 9" Deep Black Colourfix Pastel Paper. With 6 sheets, this 230 lb paper paired perfectly with the bright pastel colors and colored pencils we received. Lightly textured, this holds the pastels very well, and looks great with the pigmented colors. While it did cause the applicators to rip up a bit, it was fantastic for working on, and a great inclusion to this months box.
SketchBox April Project
Spring is in the air, so I have flowers on my mind. Utilizing the beige red colored pencil, I sketched out a stem and used the applicator brush to sweep in the pastels. I did many layers, and tried many techniques. When I was happy(ish) with my flowers, I then utilized the sponge for a northern light effect on the background. Was this my best work? No, but I had a lot of fun trying out these new items while learning a few tricks.
Charlie decided he wanted in on this messy action, so he too utilized the pastel pans and colored pencils. His project started out as an outdoor landscape, but somehow transformed into a Nike shoe. With purple streaked on his sweater sleeves, I honestly think his project turned out better than mine, and was happy to share these art supplies while creating sweet family memories.
The Verdict
SketchBox is a really fun subscription that never disappoints. While pastels aren't my favorite medium to create with, I always enjoy trying new things, especially when they come in such fun colors. Receiving a kit that includes all of the necessary supplies to create customized artwork makes art time so much easier and more fun, and is a great way to spend time with my family. As always, I already can't wait to see what we'll discovered in May. Any ideas?
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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 $48.62 value, which is over $10 more than the cost of the box. 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 April box was March 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?
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