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.
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November is here! I can't even believe that I am saying this, but I still have petunias and geraniums blooming!!!! While they do look a little sad, and are the ones closest to the house, I live in zone 3 in Minnesota and being November, that is pure craziness. Anyways, because of this inspiration, I used it to test out this month's SketchBox and was happy to have a tiny bit of "me" time after getting my sick kiddos to bed. 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, but this month there was a twist. This was a recycled box from a previous month, so the new art was included with the pamphlet instead. It sounds like this will be a change until January, when the new boxes will arrive. The cool "Falling Water" picture was neat though!
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! Here you can see the winner of the monthly contest that is usually featured on the shipping box. Created by @anniefinearts, it was a beautiful painting of a hummingbird - seriously this work was gorgeous!
Artist Card
This month's artist card was created by Reuben Negron and showcases a beautiful portrait. He is very accomplished, and has had work presented in magazine articles, internationally, and in books! More of Reuben's art can be found on his website www.reubennegron.com. Check him out, he is extremely talented!
Mixed Media Graphite Powder - Retail Value $9.50
This month's theme was "Premium Mixed Media Graphite" and starting off the curation was a large container of Mixed Media Graphite Powder. This powder is an intriguing material that opens up a world of creative possibilities. It works well for adding depth and texture to artwork, and the ability to mix it with water transforms it into a painterly medium. This versatility allows for both fine details and broad washes, making it an exciting tool for experimentation. While I’m still figuring out its full potential, the journey has been fun, and I look forward to exploring more techniques with it!
Derwent Graphitint Pencil Set - Retail Value $10.77
The next item we received was the Derwent Graphitint pencil set. This is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to combine the unique qualities of graphite and watercolor in their artwork. The colors we received —Cocoa, Green Grey, and Juniper—are stunning and offer a great range for blending and layering. One of the standout features of these pencils is how versatile they are. The ability to add water to your pencil marks allows for beautiful washes and soft transitions, which can really elevate your work. Buffing out the lines creates a lovely, smooth finish that enhances the depth and richness of the colors. Overall, I am seriously a fan, and would love to add more of these to my art arsenal in other hues.
Derwent Graphitint Pan Set - Retail Value $12.27
Up next was this Derwent Graphitint Pan Set. This set offers a unique blend of graphite and color, making it perfect for mixed media enthusiasts. The Meadow color is a refreshing, soft green that evokes natural landscapes, while Autumn Brown provides a warm, reddish earthy tone ideal for creating depth and texture. Ocean Blue is a vibrant, cool hue that adds a striking contrast. The pans are easy to activate with water, allowing for smooth application and a range of washes. Overall, this set is excellent for artists looking to experiment with subtle color effects and versatile shading!
SketchBox Signature Flat Shader Brush - Size 6 - Retail Value $10.99
In perfect harmony with our graphite theme, we received a size 6 Sketchbox Signature Flat Shader Brush. This brush features a comfortable handle and high-quality bristles that complement the pan set beautifully. I’m always pleased to expand my art supply collection, and this particular size is one of my favorites. Yay!
Art Alternatives - Retail Value $1.29
I am always up for palettes, and this small 6-well version was perfect for this months inclusions. With multiple wells to create varying washes, the plastic washes out easily and will come in handy for a variety of projects.
Stillman & Born Zeta White Paper - Retail Value $7.95
The last item we received was this set of Stillman & Born Zeta White paper. Included in this pad are 15 sheets of 270 gsm, 4" X 6" paper. Great for mixed media use, this handles wet and dry media well and makes for great post cards. A great inclusion to a great box!
Testing
I absolutely adored the earthy tones this month's box incorporated. Although the shades are all different, they work together well and are really fun to use.
SketchBox November Project
As I mentioned above, this month has been a bit rough. My 9-year-old son ended up quite sick, and we have been spending many days at home. As a mom, I have been constantly worrying, and it has been keeping me from my other duties. Today I decided to take some time while Charlie was napping and create something pretty. Our geraniums outside are still blossoming, so I decided to create a cluster of flowers. Using every item we received, I created this little bundle and though not perfect, did find it helped my mood. It's amazing how a little creative time can turn a day around, so I am thankful for receiving this month's SketchBox when I did!
Charlie didn't feel well for pumpkin carving, so he laid in a sleeping bag while I carved his for him. The Frankenstein design was all his idea, and I think it turned out pretty dang cute. Poor little guy!
The Verdict
SketchBox is a really great subscription that sends high quality supplies in all sorts of different mediums. This month featured a really fun theme that I ended up really enjoying. I love to watercolor, and while this was a graphite box, felt very comfortable with the supplies. Because they can work like watercolor, I had a great time utilizing them, and love, love, loved the colors. With all high-quality tools, we are geared up with enough supplies to create over 15 pieces of earthy toned art! I can't wait to see what we will discover in December. Any guesses?
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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 $52.77 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 November box was October 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first box!CODE: SKETCH5
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