Sketchbox is a monthly subscription box for art supplies. Each month, they'll send you 5-10 full-size tools to invigorate your artistic side. While they don't address it specifically, the name does suggest a focus on 2D art, like drawing and painting.
Sketchbox puts a subscriber's artwork on the lid of their box each month. There's information on how to enter their monthly contest for the spot on the info card!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Sketchbox
The Cost: $25 + $5 U.S. shipping = $30 per month, with savings on longer length subscriptions.
The Products: A selection of hand-picked art supplies, plus an art print to inspire
Ships to: U.S. for $5, Canada for $10, International for $15
Check out all of our Sketchbox reviews and the Craft Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
The info card in the box is super glossy. It has lots of great information on each of the products in the box, plus ways to put each tool to use.
The featured artist of the month is Jill Tuttle. Her art is featured on this second card.
On the back, there's information on Jill.
Derwent Watercolour Pencils 12 Piece Set - Listed Value $25.99 (Value $13.09 on Amazon)
These colored pencils have watercolor pigment in place of ink. You can use them as pencils, or you can use them to create precise watercolor designs. Draw a design, then take a fine, wet brush to the pencil lines to blend colors in beautiful ways.
I love the things I see watercolor artists create, but I'm super clumsy with any kind of paint. But these pencils let me leverage the dexterity I have when drawing.
They feel almost like drawing with a pencil-sized stick of pastel chalk. The line isn't the smoothest, but that's easily remedied by going back over the design with a brush.
Caran D'Ache Fiber Tipped Water Brush - Listed Value $9.85 (Value $10.65 on Amazon)
But why use a brush to blend the colors together when I have this pen! Actually, it's not even a pen—it's more like the coolest art gadget ever.
The middle of the "pen" unscrews to reveal an end with a little hole in it. The top of the pen (which looks like the button at the top of a regular pen) is actually a little plunger. Dip the hole end in some water and pull the plunger back, filling the pen like a syringe. Pop the brush end of the device back on, and squeeze the rubber button at the center of the pen to slowly and precisely wet the pen tip.
From there, you can use the brush pen just like you would a paintbrush. I used it to play around with the watercolor pencils.
I love the control that this pointed, marker-like tip gives my art! The tip is so fine. Be sure to clean it thoroughly, just as you would a brush.
Zig CNKC 2200 Double Ended Marker in Cobalt Blue - Listed Value $3.46 (Value $2.86 on DickBlick.com)
I love brush pens. I love the variety and effortlessness they bring to doodles and drawings.
And they make notes and greeting card messages look like artful calligraphy. This double-ended marker has two sides—one fine and one flowy brush.
The color is a bright sky blue. I kind of wish it was a more all-purpose color, like a black or gray. Still, it's super pretty. Looks like it's time my art went through a blue period!
The other end is great for more precise designs.
Bonus Items: 3 Yupo Mini Pads - Value $10.00?
I've never heard of Yupo paper before, but it's super high-quality watercolor paper that's designed with non-porous materials. That means that the pages are as smooth as butter and water repellant, so you can build color or even wipe your watercolors away to start again. How wild is that?!
The pads in this box are heavy, medium, and transparent weight. I couldn't find these small-sized pads (which look to be around 3" by 4") anywhere online, so I'm guessing they're promotional. But they're so high quality that they must be at least $10.00 altogether!
Pigma Micron 08 0.5mm - Value $5.30
Weirdly, this pen wasn't listed on the info card, but it is a great tool to get!
It's smooth and easy to draw with.
The tip makes for a nice bold line. And since it's waterproof, it's perfect for using with watercolor pieces!
Verdict: This was my first Sketchbox and I was really impressed by the items inside. The box is $30.00 per month once you count shipping, but according to the prices listed on the info card and my estimates, there's about $55.00 of products inside the box. That might be a little high, but I do feel like I'm getting at least $30.00 worth out of the box. I love that all of these items can be used in tandem. Now, I'll say that I'm not as avid an artist as I could be, so I find these products exciting, new, and unconventional. If you're a more dedicated artist, you might already have some of these items, or you might find them a little less interesting. But for my level, this subscription is perfect!
What do you think of Sketchbox?
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