ArtSnacks Plus Subscription Box Review – November 2020

ArtSnacks is a monthly art supply subscription service that curates products to help inspire you to create. ArtSnacks is the brainchild of siblings Lee and Sarah Rubenstein, founders of eatsleepdraw.com, a user-submitted art site.

There are two subscription tiers for ArtSnacks: $24 or $39 for the Plus box.

This is a review of the $39 Plus box. 

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: ArtSnacks

The Cost: $24.00 a month, with savings on 6- and 12-month subscriptions OR buy the Plus box for $39.00 a month. International boxes cost $34 for the base box or $39 for the Plus.

The Products: 4-5 full-size premium art products in the base box OR 5-6 full-size premium supplies plus a full-size work surface in the Plus box.

Ships to: The U.S. and worldwide for free!

Shall we peek inside?

A very cute ArtSnacks sticker arrived. I always love these little pretzel pencil stickers!

As well as our little snack! Does anyone actually know what the white mystery flavor actually is at this point?

Here is the menu for September. These are also the items that should arrive in the base box.

And here is the card showcasing what additional items arrived in our Plus box.

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Marabu Graphix Sketch Marker in ‘Brilliant Violet’ – Retail Value $2.99

FYI: You might receive a different color. 

I immediately enjoyed this Marabu marker because it had such a smooth hand and the pigment is stellar. Purple is one of those colors that I don’t usually reach for, so getting such a nice marker is a great excuse to dive into this color that I often avoid. The ink inside is alcohol-based and waterproof once dry.

A good purple, indeed!

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Tombow Pastel MONO Graph Mechanical Pencil – Retail Value $6.99

FYI: You might receive a different pencil body color. 

I picked this pencil up and immediately smiled. It is a design that is really cute to look at and it has a nice weight, even though the body is plastic. The lead is extended by pressing down on the clip and there is even a very long hidden twist-up eraser built into the end and a lead lock!

It is always a good idea to have a sturdy mechanical pencil on hand.

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Tombow Fudenosuke Neon Brush Pen in ‘Neon Yellow’ – Retail Value $3.49

FYI: You might receive a different size or color. 

In addition to falling in love with red in 2020, I am also really into neon colors. I have bought tons of highlighter markers and neon nail polishes this year! I don’t know where this adoration for brights is coming from, but I am enjoying every second of it. This tip is firm but still flexible, and the bright ink is a real eyecatcher!

I love it.

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Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 Colored Pencil in ‘Carmine Lake’ – Retail Value $5.40

Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 Colored Pencil in ‘Lemon Yellow’ – Retail Value $5.40

One of the things I love about this subscription is that it throws a wildcard (or two) at me every month. It is also fun because the colors are random, so each arrival creates a fun challenge. These two pencils came in colors that feel super random, but I am kind of into it. The lemon yellow is cheery and fun, while the brownish-red shade feels more earthy and grounded.

Top, Lemon Yellow. Bottom, Carmine Lake.

FYI: Items below will arrive in the PLUS box. 

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Marabu Graphix Sketch Markers Alpha Robot Set, 6 markers – Retail Value $17.99

These are exciting! This set of 6 markers form a really dynamic greyscale set. These would be so great for adding depth to technical drawings as well as adding different shades to anything you can think of. Each marker has two tips, a large and harsh chisel, and a rounded point. While these are waterproof when dry, if you work fast enough you can mix them.

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Here is a little gallery with all 6 grey shades.

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9″x12″ Crescent #300 Drawings Boards, 3 pack – Retail Value $13.49

I work with a lot of wet mediums, so thicker boards like this always feel better than thinner papers because I can go heavier without bowing the surface.

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7 of 7 | I decided to utilize the colored pencils for a background.

1 of 7 | I started with a rough mechanical pencil sketch, just from my mind.

2 of 7 | I then started to layer the different greys.

3 of 7 | Adding more and more...

4 of 7 | ... and starting to define the horse.

5 of 7 | These markers are really expressive, so I just embraced my natural lines.

6 of 7 | I then started to add in some super abstract spots and dapples.

7 of 7 | I decided to utilize the colored pencils for a background.

1 of 7 | I started with a rough mechanical pencil sketch, just from my mind.

2 of 7 | I then started to layer the different greys.

3 of 7 | Adding more and more...

4 of 7 | ... and starting to define the horse.

5 of 7 | These markers are really expressive, so I just embraced my natural lines.

6 of 7 | I then started to add in some super abstract spots and dapples.

7 of 7 | I decided to utilize the colored pencils for a background.

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Here is the final horse. I have been feeling inspired lately by the stylized equines from the art deco period and while this ended up absolutely nothing like those horses, it also took me in a weird direction I never would have gone without these specific and unfamiliar supplies. Though this isn’t my usual fare, I loved the mental exercise!

Verdict: ArtSnacks always takes me (pleasantly) out of my comfort zone. It might be wild colors or it might be new tools, but I always have a good time and find this box uncomfortable in the best way. The supplies are always awesome and I find myself reaching for them over and over. This is a great box for sparking creativity and adding to your studio stash!

FYI, if you need help or inspiration, try the ArtSnacks online community. OR leave me a message and I will try to help or spark your imagination!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the December box if you subscribe. 

Value Breakdown: This box costs $39 with free shipping, meaning each of the 8 items has an average cost of $4.88. 

Check out all of our ArtSnacks reviews and the best arts & crafts subscription boxes of 2020!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What did you create with the October ArtSnacks items?