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.
I swear I just wrote the August review, and now here we are in the throes of September. Already half a week into the new school year, I'm exhausted and finding it harder than usual to adjust to the new schedule. Thankfully, this month’s SketchBox arrived just in time to give me a much-needed boost of creative energy to get through the rest of the week. Read on to see what we came up with!
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 used to have an ongoing contest where a subscriber's artwork was featured on the lid of their box. For the past few months, they’ve been sending out repeat boxes—likely to use up inventory—but they mentioned that new artwork would return in the new year. However, we've still been receiving repeat boxes up until now. But here’s a twist—there’s no artwork on the box at all this time! It looks like they’ve decided to continue showcasing the winning artwork on the back of the pamphlet instead, which you’ll see below.
What's Inside the Box
Content Pamphlet
Instead of the traditional postcard, SketchBox has transitioned to a full pamphlet that showcases the box’s contents. It includes a QR code for SketchBox School—where you can learn how to use the materials—along with extra tips and information on how to enter a giveaway. This month even features a written tutorial! You’ll also find the winner of the monthly contest featured in the pamphlet, a spot that’s usually reserved for the shipping box. This month’s winning artwork, created by @karenheintzelmandennis, is a lovely watercolor painting of a horse. Beautiful in both design and color, it’s truly a standout piece! Be sure to check out Karen’s Instagram—she just posted some adorable Halloween creations!
Schmincke Liquid Earth and Liquid Charcoal 3 - Set - Retail Value $24.95
The Schmincke Liquid Earth and Liquid Charcoal 3-Set is such a cool mix of art and nature. The sanguine, chalk, and cherry charcoal shades all have rich, earthy tones and flow really nicely. I love that the pigments come from natural sources in Germany, and the liquid charcoal made from grape seeds is such a neat, eco-friendly detail. They're super fun to play around with—great for sketching or layering. Overall, it's a unique and inspiring set that feels really connected to the natural world.
SketchBox SIGNATURE Woodless Pastel Pencils - Retail Value $9.99
The SketchBox Signature Woodless Pastel Pencils are an awesome addition to my mixed media setup. The colors include: umber, kale, terracotta, mustard, platinum, and olive and have a super nice earthy vibe. They’re a bit harder than regular pastels, so they’re great for adding details or layering on top of other mediums. I had a lot of fun using them and loved how smooth and pigmented they are. I can't wait to try them out on different pieces!
SketchBox SIGNATURE Tri-Wedge Brush - Retail Value $13.50
I always enjoy receiving new tools in my monthly SketchBox subscription. This month, I got a Tri-Wedge Signature Brush, designed for precise details and shape-making using the side of the brush. It's great for creating petals, leaves, and geometric elements—super versatile and a fun addition to my brush collection! That said, this shape is a bit trickier to navigate than a traditional round brush—there’s definitely a learning curve with this one.
Hahnemuhle Toned Watercolor Pad - Beige - Retail Value $10.00
The last item I received was a 10-page pad of toned watercolor paper. This beige paper measures 4" x 7" and has a weight of 200 gsm. I love getting colored papers since I don’t usually buy them for myself. They can create some really cool effects in artwork, so I was excited to see this included!
Testing
Aren't these colors perfect for the upcoming autumn season? I love it!
SketchBox September Projects
Over the past few months, SketchBox has been including step-by-step instructions paired with beautiful illustrations to guide the creation of a featured art piece. This month, I just had to try out the owl tutorial. The tutorial included seven steps, offering both illustrations and written instructions. It was a bit more intricate than in previous months, and I really appreciated the mindset tip at the end. It reminded me that some pieces turn out better than expected, while others fall short. I needed that encouragement as I worked through the owl—I wasn’t trusting the process and got frustrated when the owl’s face became too wet and started to shred the paper. Despite that setback, I was able to follow the tutorial fairly well using all the included supplies, and (eventually) I did enjoy the process. I picked up some new techniques and now want to try it again to see if I can make the owl’s face look a little more realistic.
The Verdict
SketchBox is a fantastic subscription service that delivers high-quality art supplies across a wide range of mediums. This month’s Earth Tone Premium Box was right up my alley—it leaned toward watercolors, but the addition of charcoal and chalk gave it a fresh and exciting twist! There were enough materials to create at least ten pieces of artwork, and I was genuinely impressed by the thoughtful curation. I’m looking forward to experimenting more with these supplies to create some cozy, autumn-inspired pieces. Overall, I had a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to see what October’s box has in store. Any guesses?
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Value Breakdown
You can find all these items as a set in the Sketch Shop listed at the top of the page as the Earth Tone Premium Box for $40. The included contents card had a $58.44 value, which is higher than the cost of the box and 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 September box was August 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box or buy this box in their shop as the Earth Tone Premium Box.
What do you think of SketchBox?
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