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.
March is here, and I’ve been needing a little creative time to balance out my work life. This month’s SketchBox arrived just in time to try out new supplies and learn a few 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 @PatienceMakesArt, features a gorgeous, sculpture-esque painting. It’s beautiful in design—be sure to check out their Instagram; they share many stunning pieces!
3x SKETCHBOX SIGNATURE Gouache - Retail Value $17.97
The first item we received was a set of three signature gouache containers. Rich in pigment, the colors included coral, crimson, and peacock green. This is a medium I’ve worked with before, though not extensively. The containers were easy to open and use, and I loved that the colors worked so well together and could be mixed to create new shades. The thicker texture was definitely different from watercolor, but the results were beautiful. I loved using them to create this month’s tutorial and have a feeling they’ll be used a lot in the future!
Beam Paint - Gouache Paintstone - Retail Value $11.00
The next item I received was a really fun one. As the Indigenous Support Advocate at a public school, I’m always on the lookout for incentive items created by Indigenous-owned companies. A few years ago, I discovered Beam Paints and their watercolor sets and began purchasing them for students who make the honor roll. They’ve been an absolute hit!
Now they have gouache! This adorable paintstone features a beautiful robin’s egg blue color and worked really well with the other pans of gouache. Slightly thinner in texture, it applied a bit like watercolor but with a more chalky appearance. It was fun to use, and the color is gorgeous—I want all of these!
Speedball Calligraphy Pen XS - Retail Value $3.49
Pens are a great addition to any box, and this Speedball calligraphy pen is no exception. With its extra-fine tip, it writes beautifully and is flexible enough for lettering, adding details, and tracing.
Zebra Delguard Mechanical Pencil - Retail Value $6.48
I’ll be honest—I’m typically not a fan of mechanical pencils and usually prefer a regular wooden one. However, this Zebra DelGuard version is pretty nice. Featuring a double-spring mechanism, it helps protect the lead from breakage, so I can press as hard as I need without snapping it. It’s great for sketching and writing small details, and it was perfect for starting this month’s tutorial. I was surprised by how much I liked it, and I’m glad it was included.
SKETCHBOX SIGNATURE Pointed Filbert Size 5 Brush - Retail Value $11.75
Brushes are always a bonus, and this month’s SketchBox Signature brush was one I don’t have many of. This size 5 pointed filbert brush is large and fluffy, but it works really well with gouache. I had a little trouble with some of the more detailed areas, but it’s quite versatile and probably just takes a little getting used to. Since I usually work with smaller brushes, this was a welcome change and made for some fun textures.
Speedball Fluid 100 10 Pack - Retail Value $6.90
The last item we received was a set of 10 hot-pressed paper sheets. These 4" × 6" sheets are thick and work great with heavier gouache and water applications. I didn’t have any trouble with the edges curling, and I appreciated the bright white surface. Overall, it was a great addition!
Testing
I love this month’s color combo! The coral, crimson, and blue colors were sooo much fun!
SketchBox March Project
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 a dragonfly and landscape, and I couldn’t wait to get started!
Following the illustrated instructions, I worked through the tutorial on my own since baseball season has now started up. Using all of the included supplies, I was able to complete the piece in less than an hour, and I loved the results! The color combination and fun design were right up my alley, and I can’t wait to use these products even more on my own.
The Verdict
SketchBox is a fantastic subscription service that delivers high-quality art supplies across a wide range of mediums. This month’s Unique Gouache Premium Box offered a medium that I enjoy, and included one of my favorite brands! 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 April'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 Unique Gouache Premium Box $40. The included contents card had a $57.59 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 March box was February 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box or buy this box in their shop as the Unique Gouache Premium box.
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