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
Summer is on the horizon, and because I work in education, a three-month hiatus is on the horizon as well! While we wrap up another school year, I am beyond excited to have a break to relax and recharge. Prior to the break, I always make a list of "must-do's" and create art is at the top of that list. To kick things off a little bit early, SketchBox arrived with their May box. Read below to see what I discovered this month and what I 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 @carolynmcdraws and is of a lovely green month. 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 Pamphlet
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 Karla Cordova and showcases a fun beach scene. More of Karla's art can be found on her Instagram page @karla_cordova_m. Check her out, she is very talented!
Custom Zig CLEAN COLOR Real Brush Set - Retail Value $14.50
This month's theme was "Premium Brush Markers" and the first item we received was this set of Zig Clean Color markers. Featuring Sea Green, Billiard Green, Sand, and Summer Sun colors, this set is beautiful! With small tips, these are great for fine lines and details, but can be utilized from the side to fill larger areas. Because they are water-based, they also can be diluted and utilized like watercolor, which is really fun! Vibrant in color and easy to handle, these are great for an amateur marker artist.
SketchBox Signature Oval Wash Brush 1/4" - Retail Value $9.00
Brushes are always a welcome addition, and this month's inclusion was perfect for diluting out the marker ink. At 1/4", this oval brush is extremely soft and smooth, and blends colors very nicely. As a signature item in this month's box, this item is high quality, and I like the thinness of the handle, along with the chic matte black look. A great tool that will come in handy time and time again.
Prismacolor Col-Erase - Retail Value $1.38
I personally love pencils, but typically the #2 kind. This version looks juts like a traditional #2 pencil, except for the fact that it is pink and has pink lead! Complete with an eraser, this sketching pencil is my favorite color, and works great for creating light outlines in a non-traditional way! A fun inclusion that I didn't know I needed in my life until now!
Ecoline Duotip Marker Set - Retail Value $13.90
I appreciate a high quality marker, and this set hits that mark! With a beautiful "Deep Ochre" hue and "Indigo" they complement the brush set very nicely. Featuring a slim bullet and chisel tip, the opportunities for these guys are endless. Also water-soluble, these created beautiful gradients when mixed with water, and their stout handles were easy to hold and color with.
Jacquard Watercolor Medium - Retail Value $13.90
Now even though this is a marker box, we did receive this Jacquard Watercolor Medium, and I was soooo excited! This pearl white liquid is glittery and adds shimmer and shine to anything you apply it to! While it doesn't create bright white highlights, it does add a beautiful sheen that is so much fun to apply. Check out my floral art below to see just how glittery it dries!
Magnani Incisioni Bianco Paper Set - Retail Value $7.99
The last item we received was a set of Magnani Incisioni Bianco paper. This hot press paper is great for water-based media as it is 310gsm. With ten 4" X 6" sheets, the opportunities for creating are many, and the markers just flow on this smooth paper. A great inclusion, for a solid box!
SketchBox May Project
As we head into May, the grass is finally starting to green up, and some of my plants are finally poking through the ground. I am itching to get to the greenhouse, but hate constantly watching the weather for frost, so I decided to draw flowers instead of buy them. Utilizing the pink sketching pencil, I laid out my blossoms and foliage. Once complete, I utilized the Billiard Green and Sea Green brush markers and painted out the leaves. Once dry, I used the Summer Sun and Sand brush markers to draw out the flowers. Testing out the paintbrush, I painted out the pedals and let it dry. Adding the details to the center of the flowers, I tried out the Duotip markers, then decided to outline the flowers in the Deep Ochre color, and the foliage with the Indigo color. Finally, once everything was dry, I added spots of the Jacquard Watercolor Medium and watched the glimmer take effect. A fun project that turned out pretty cute!
The Verdict
SketchBox is a really fun subscription that always surprises me. Markers are a fun tool, and when combined with shimmery mediums, brushes, and pink pencils, I was really impressed! Receiving a kit that includes all of the necessary supplies to create fun and individualized artwork makes creating so much easier and less stressful. The high-quality of the supplies and the beautiful colors help too!! I already can't wait to see what we will discover in June. Any ideas?
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 $51.27 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 May box was April 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.