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
Time sure flies when you are having fun! We are a week into August, and our summer vacay is winding down. The fair is in less than 2 weeks, and we are sooooo not prepared! Back in the old days, the kids would have artwork strewn around the house in preparation, and this year, we are behind. With tons of baseball, we have not had a lot of time to let the creativity flow, so now we are scrambling. Thankfully, this month's SketchBox arrived just in time with goodies to create artwork in the colored pencil categories. Read below to see what we received!
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 @NHiggins123 and is a gorgeous portrait. 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
Instead of the traditional post card, SketchBox has now transitioned to an entire 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 Melissa Yelle and showcases a beautiful book cover like design. More of Melissa's art can be found on her Instagram page @melissayelledraws. Check her out, she is very talented!
Custom Faber-Castell PolyChromo Pencil 8 Set - Retail Value $26.80
This month's theme is "Premium Travel Colored Pencils" and the eight piece Faber-Castell PolyChromo pencil set was the star of the show! With eight vibrant hues, these oil-based pencils are extremely high quality and have unsurpassed light-fastness. They apply very smoothly, and are great for layering. I am not great with colored pencils, but had a great time using these, as did the kids. A great start to this month's box!
Finesse Colored Pencil Blender - Retail Value $5.64
The next item was my favorite, and one I have never used before. This Finesse colored pencil blender is so stinking cool! It is a solvent-based, clear brush that magically unifies and softens colored pencil strokes. Acid-free, low odor, and fast-drying, this pen has two tips, one brush and one nib, and creates a fabulous finish. This is definitely something I didn't know that I needed in my life, but now, I won't be able to live without it!
Faber-Castell Creative Marker - Retail Value $3.00
Markers are fun, and the inclusion of this white Faber-Castell Creative version was great. With a 1.5mm nib, this marker is great for different surfaces, and created some highlights and details in my art. While not as useful as a black marker would be for me, I did enjoy receiving this and always love the quality that Faber-Castell brings to the art world.
SketchBox Signature Pencil Case - Retail Value $9.99
How cute is this pencil bag?! This custom travel case fits all of this months supplies with ease, and looks super cool. Not only was this created by a woman-owned and operated manufacturer, but it is made from soft recycled fabric! With a small cloth handle at one end, this is easy to tote around, and was a great addition to this month's box.
SketchBox Exclusive UglyBook Sketchbook - Retail Value $6
The last item we received was this exclusive UglyBook sketchbook. With 48 pages of 4" X 5.7" toned green paper, this is a great inclusion for the artist on the go. Working great with all of this month's supplies, this sketchbook is easy to tote around and one can never have enough paper!
Testing
Check out this month's vibrant hues! Doesn't it just scream summer?!
SketchBox August Project
Soooo, as you can see I may or may not have veered a bit off track this month by the color of the background. Usually I use every single inclusion on my monthly art project, but this month I wanted to create something bigger. Using a larger sheet of white paper, I decided to try my hand at a butterfly utilizing this month's colorful palette of colored pencils. I'll be honest, my art didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but I did have a great time trying my hand at a few different techniques. As they say, practice makes perfect, so I have to get back at it!
Charlie's Project
Charlie loves art, and with the fair coming up, he has been busy creating art of all kinds. This month he wanted to work beside me on his own colored pencil drawing, but quickly found the bright colors I received this month did not coordinate with his ideas. While I kept the bright hues, he brought out some darker ones we have previously received, to start this buffalo drawing. To be honest, I think his is turning out much nicer than my butterfly!
Hank's Project
Hank too is scrambling to finish some drawings before the fair, and was in need of a colored pencil piece. While he hasn't started coloring yet, he has a really nice outline of a car that he needs to finish. Fun!
The Verdict
SketchBox is a really great subscription that sends high quality supplies in all sorts of different mediums. This month featured a great variety of colored pencil products, and the boys and I had a fun time trying them out. With all high quality tools, we are geared up with enough supplies to create over 48 pieces of colored pencil art! This month I also discovered the colored pencil blender which was life changing! I can't wait to see what we will discover in September. Any guesses?
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Value Breakdown
Because some 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 $51.43 value, which is close to the cost of the box, but allowed me to discover products I probably wouldn't 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 August box was July 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.