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.
October is here, bringing all the spooky vibes with it! With football season winding down, I'm looking forward to a more manageable schedule—and hopefully, some extra creative time. This month's SketchBox arrived while we were still in the thick of nightly practices, but I managed to sneak in a bit of art time. Read on to see what I 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 @goldegrams is a really fun abstract clock design. Extremely creative in both design and color, it’s truly a standout piece! Be sure to check out her Instagram - she has some really whimsical and fun designs!
Speedball Calligraphy Acrylic Ink Set - Retail Value $14.00
The first item we received was definitely the star of the show. We got a four-piece set of Speedball Calligraphy Acrylic Inks in exclusive colors created just for SketchBox: Carmine Red, Exclusive Cool Grey, Black Pearl, and Metallic White. These inks are absolutely stunning—some of the most beautiful colors I’ve ever seen! Perfect for projects like signs, posters, and prints, this water-based, non-toxic, non-clogging, and highly opaque ink is both easy and enjoyable to use. I loved the color combination they sent and found the inks to be surprisingly versatile. The metallic sparkle adds a nice touch of dimension, and I really appreciated the opportunity to try them—this isn’t something I would have likely picked up on my own.
SketchBox Signature Ink Brush - Retail Value $8.99
The next item I received was a signature ink brush—another really cool inclusion. This water-based black ink brush did take a moment to figure out (you need to unscrew the top and remove the black plastic band that prevents leaks), but once I got it working, it was amazing! With a gentle press, the brush fills with ink and creates beautifully pigmented black lines. It’s a great tool for adding detail, and honestly, it's one of my favorite items I’ve ever received!
SketchBox SIGNATURE Quill Brush Size 0 - Retail Value $12.00
I always enjoy receiving new tools in my monthly SketchBox subscription, and this month I got a good one! The SketchBox Signature Quill Brush in size 0 is quite large and does an excellent job soaking up lots of paint, making it perfect for creating broad washes. Despite its size, the pointed tip allows for some finer details as well, making it surprisingly versatile. It has a comfortable grip, and since I don’t own many quill-style brushes, I was excited to add this one to my collection!
Custom Arnhem 1618 Sketchbook - Retail Value $26.99
The last item I received was a really awesome 60-page sketchbook. It features a cloth-covered front and back, along with a built-in bookmark and an elastic strap to keep it securely closed. With its high retail value, I was excited to receive such a packable, high-quality book—and I truly appreciated the thoughtful design and durability.
Testing
Aren't these metallic neutrals and bright red hues gorgeous?! Love it!!
SketchBox October Projects
I’ve mentioned previously that for the past few months, SketchBox has been offering step-by-step instructions to create a piece using that month’s supplies. This time, they included written and illustrated instructions for creating a beautiful ballerina. People aren’t exactly my strong suit when it comes to drawing, so this month’s tutorial definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. Using the included products, I did manage to complete the tutorial—but wow, it was a challenge! It started off okay, but things went sideways fast… especially the face. Somehow, I ended up with what looked more like a gorilla in a tutu than a graceful dancer. Eek! So, I decided to switch gears and create some tiger-themed artwork instead, which turned out a bit better. Overall, I learned a lot and plan to give that ballerina another try soon—but I definitely needed a break first!
The Verdict
SketchBox is a fantastic subscription service that delivers high-quality art supplies across a wide range of mediums. This month’s red, black, and metallic ink premium ink box took me a little out of my comfort zone but was fun! There were enough materials to create at least 60 pieces of artwork, and I was genuinely impressed by the thoughtful curation. I’m looking forward to experimenting more with these supplies and fill up this new sketch book. Overall, I had a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to see what November’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 Red, Black, & Metallic Ink Premium Box for $40. The included contents card had a $61.98 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 October box was September 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box or buy this box in their shop as the Red, Black, and Metallic Ink Premium Box.
What do you think of SketchBox?
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