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.
It’s February, and I’ve been really focused on getting creative in 2026. This month’s SketchBox arrived just in time to try out new supplies and learn some new artsy skills—all while staying on track with my daily “creative time” goal. 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
Each month, SketchBox sends a lovely curation of supplies in a simple white box featuring key information and a QR code. Everything is packaged in bright blue tissue paper (this time with white lettering) and arrives safe and secure. It’s always a special treat when I see this in my mailbox!
What's Inside the Box
Content Pamphlet
Instead of the traditional postcard, SketchBox has switched 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 (and illustrated) tutorial!
You’ll also find the winner of the monthly contest highlighted in the pamphlet—a spot that used to be reserved for the shipping box. This month’s winning artwork, created by @thompson.scout, features a finished piece from the December tutorial. Cute and familiar, be sure to check out their Instagram—they showcase results from many previous tutorials, and the work is wonderful!
SKETCHBOX SIGNATURE Professional Soft Pastels 6-Set - Retail Value $19.99
The first item we received this month was a set of soft pastels. The set includes six tones ranging from light blue to black. Gorgeous in color, they’re easy to hold, blend beautifully, and offer a rich, deep pigment. I usually find pastels messy, but this month we also received a tool to help contain the pastel dust (which you’ll see below).
Generously sized, these pastels provide plenty of product for creating many pieces—and they’re really fun to play with!
Derwent Drawing Pencils Custom 3-Set of New Colors - Retail Value $11.07
The next item I received was a set of three Derwent drawing pencils. With a smooth grip and excellent pigment, this variety pack is perfect for sketching. Paired with the blue-toned paper we received this month, all three hues really stand out and worked together to create this month’s illustration with ease.
My mom even commented on how high-quality the pencils felt—though she did mention she wished they had erasers.
SketchBox Signature Pastel Holder - Retail Value $5.99
This next item is the one I mentioned earlier—the pastel holder. This small metal tool has claw-like grips that hold the pastel securely, giving this otherwise messy medium a steadier, easier grip.
SketchBox Signature Paint Markers - Retail Value $11.99
The next inclusion was definitely one of my favorites. I love paint markers, and the SketchBox versions are some of the best. They feature a nice brush tip, and the paint flows smoothly onto the paper. You can use them to fill large areas, and the tip also works beautifully for adding details.
The color palette paired perfectly with the pastels, and the two mediums worked together really well.
Royal Talent Toned Royal Blue Paper - Retail Value $10.95
The last item I received was a pack of blue-toned paper. This 4" × 6" paper pad contains 12 sheets and coordinates beautifully with the included pastels. It worked especially well for the orca tutorial.
I don’t have many different colored sketching papers, so this was a nice little treat, and I’m really looking forward to playing around with it more in the future.
Testing
I love this month’s color combo! The bright blues were a subtle reminder that spring will eventually come!
SketchBox February Projects
I have to say, while I love SketchBox for their amazing premium supplies, I’ve come to love their step-by-step tutorials just as much. This month’s pamphlet featured an orca on the front, which thrilled both my son and me. We actually packed the box up and brought it three hours west to my mom’s house for a little art sesh.
Following the illustrated instructions, the three of us each created our own rendition of Free Willy. My mom was really into art in high school but has since given it up, so this turned out to be a fun and meaningful project for her. As you can see, Charlie went a little rogue with his—and I absolutely love it.
Family art time is the best, and this box created lasting memories and lots of laughs. Overall, we loved the products, the instructions, and the quality family time it gave us.
The Verdict
SketchBox is a fantastic subscription service that delivers high-quality art supplies across a wide range of mediums. This month’s Monochromatic Pastel Premium Box offered a medium that I love, and even included paint markers! With enough products to make multiple pieces of artwork, I was really happy with the amount of products in this curation. While my schedule has been busy, I am looking forward to utilizing these more in the near future. Overall, I had a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to see what March's box has in store. Any guesses?
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Value Breakdown
You can find some of these items as a set in the Sketch Shop listed at the top of the page as the monochromatic Pastel Basic Box $30. The included contents card had a $59.99 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 February box was January 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box or buy this box in their shop as the Monochromatic Pastel Premium box.
What do you think of SketchBox?
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