Facebook PixelSketchBox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – February 2021
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SketchBox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – February 2021

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Apr 6, 2021 | 10 comments

SketchBox
3.5 overall rating
16 Ratings | 8 Reviews

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.

SketchBox runs an ongoing contest to put a subscriber's artwork on the lid of their box each month. There's information on how to enter their monthly contest 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.)

This is a review of the $35/month Premium box. SketchBox also offers a $25/month Basic box.

About SketchBox

The Subscription Box: SketchBox

The Cost: $35.00 + $5.00 U.S. shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first box!
CODE: SKETCH5

The Products: A selection of hand-picked art supplies, plus an art print to inspire.

Ships to: The U.S. for $5.00, Canada for $10.00, International for $15.00

My SketchBox February 2021 Review

Their info card includes a list of the products and why they were chosen for the box. There is also a link to SketchBox School, a video they release each month showing you how to use your items and demonstrations, too! If you are new to art, these are really great, and even if you aren't, they are filled with helpful knowledge and smart tidbits.

You also get a card with a drawing by this month's featured artist, Cassandra Murphy.

There was also a super cute SketchBox box sticker. This month, it is in the shape of a pink eraser.

 

Cretacolor Watercolor Graphite Set - Retail Value $14.95

I love getting a set! This one is especially cool because it looks like it is all grey graphite pencils but three of them are actually tinted. You don't see it until you get them wet. Also included are two grey graphite pencils in different hardnesses and a white pencil for highlighting.

Here are our pencils dry. It's interesting that you can't really see the hidden colors until you use water on them:

And boom! Here is the color. Because it is hard to see when they are dry it might make for some unexpected placement, but sometimes accidents are what makes a piece magical.

 

Derwent Graphitint Pencils in 'Chestnut' and 'Ivy' - Retail Value $2.99 each

These appear and act a lot more like your normal water-soluble colored pencils. I like the green and brown colors chosen this month because they would be really great for springtime landscape pieces! The colors are pretty and vibrant on their own but really come alive and become even more saturated when you add water.

Left, Chestnut. Right, Ivy.

The colors really pop with water!

 

Spectrum Noir Colortint Pencil in 'Cafe Au Lait' - Listed Value $2.00

Our next pencil is a more demure brown shade. It's a little less orange than the 'Chestnut' shade, and you can create a lot by combining the colors for subtle shifts and contrast.

Dry...

... and wet!

 

Derwent Graphitint in 'Dark Indigo' and 'Juniper' - Retail Value $3.99 each

Anything in a pan gets me excited! I collect and make watercolors, and I have hundreds of these little things floating around my studio. These shades look mostly grey in the pan but add water, and they transform into a beautiful smokey indigo and a fun lilac. They were a lot more pigmented than I expected too!

These are really gorgeous to work with.

 

Princeton Heritage Round #6 Brush - Retail Value $14.05

Much like my makeup brush collection, my art brush collection is pretty extensive. That being said, I can always use more, especially since some of mine have become designated oil paintbrushes and I store them apart from the water-soluble media brushes. This is a super nice and endlessly useful round in a great size. It's able to lend itself to detail work due to the sharp point, but you can also use it for smaller washes if you use its edge because it holds a lot of water.

 

ArtGraph Drawing Graphite Putty - Retail Value $12.23

Our final item is a pretty sizable chunk of putty. At first, I thought this was an eraser, but it actually is water soluble and you can use it to paint with! It's flexible, so you can rip off a little or a lot depending on your needs. It is a little on the messy side, but it's really fun!

I used my finger to smear a little, then tried blending it out and adding some water.

I tried to paint a nebula this month and instead made a big mess. I hope you enjoy it anyways:

 

This was the final piece. It's a little more Pollock than celestial. You win some, you lose some.

The Verdict: This month's SketchBox had some great supplies, though my piece this month was a bit of a bust. I will have to revisit the whole solar idea at a later time when I have recovered from the mess I made this time. I adore watercolors and though these are graphite based they work very similarly and are surprising and fun to play with. The colors were all rich and very complimentary to eachother. And even though my piece was a dud, the journey was fun!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. At the time of publication, you'll likely receive the April box. Also, SketchBox is currently fully operational during COVID-19.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first box!
CODE: SKETCH5

Value Breakdown: Since this box costs $40.00 after shipping, each of the 6 items has an average cost of $6.67.

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!

What do you think of SketchBox?

Starting at $25.00
Active Deal
Save $5 off your first box!
Use Coupon Code SKETCH5
Subscribe Now

SketchBox delivers premium art supplies right to your doorstep along with a unique piece of art to help inspire you. They feature a new artist every month and encourage you to share your art with the world. What would you make if art supplies were delivered to you every month?

Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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10 comments

Cc

The only part about this box that is missing is a cool example of what can be done with its contents. Something like what you created! Loved seeing your process and not just the end result. If I just saw your art, I wouldn’t feel confident enough to try it myself. The color work is so fun!
Also, your whole comment thread throughout 💀 “at least my edges are clean?” Lollllll!

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Alice

I concur; it’s mesmerizing! I believe a few gold ink specks would add even more dimension. However, I love it as-is! I need this sub. I might give up Ipsy Plus for this. My budget is limited.

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Wendy

Anyone know how the $25 box compares to the $35?? what is missing/less of? TIA.

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Megan K.

Hi Wendy! It looks like this month the base had only one pan and didn’t come with the moldable graphite. Here is a link: https://getsketchbox.com/shop/product/3507550126

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Amy

Bust is not an accurate term – I don’t see any bodyless heads! Jk but honestly I’m in love with the piece you made. The color palette is a bit too angsty to read as outer space imo but I literally spent like 3 minutes just staring at it and I’m obsessed!

I’m thinking I might scale back my beauty boxes and opt for this box instead! I wish I could get this exact box, I might buy those Cretacolor pencils and the graphite clay on their own, but I love the curation and the idea of not having to decide on materials, just playing with what I’m sent and seeing what happens

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Megan K.

I see what you did there! 😂
I am glad you liked the piece. If i think of it as something other than space, maybe I can learn to enjoy it more.
I highly recommend both this and Artsnacks. I look forward to them every single month!

PS: it looks like this box can be purchased as a single option for $35: https://getsketchbox.com/shop/product/3507530807

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Mellissa

I loved your finish piece. I could see you adding a simple word in calligraphy over it.

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Megan K.

Thanks Mellissa! I happen to be terrible at lettering, but I do have a bestie who is amazing. Might have to mail it to her!

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Nina

I think it’s beautiful and mesmerizing.

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Megan K.

Thanks Nina! You are all making me feel much better about it! ♥️

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