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.
OMG, it's already August! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. We're officially in the last month of summer vacation, and I feel like I haven't had a chance to relax at all!
Things are about to change, though. We just wrapped up baseball, and we have a little break before football starts, so I'm planning to soak up some much-needed relaxation. With the county fair just around the corner, I also have some work to do since I usually enter a few pieces of artwork.
Now, let's dig in and see what kind of new supplies I could put to good use!
This month's SketchBox arrived packed with fresh art supplies and an awesome step-by-step tutorial, giving me the perfect opportunity to try out some new artistic skills that I finally had a little time to explore. Read on to see what was included and how my project turned out!
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 art contest featured in the pamphlet—a section that was previously showcased on the shipping box. This month's winning artwork, created by @julieweinert, features a beautiful bridge scene! Be sure to check out her work on Instagram—she's incredibly talented and created the most adorable bee and flower drawing I've ever seen! ❤️
SketchBox Signature Illustration Markers 6 - Set - Retail Value $34.50
Watercolors are definitely my favorite medium, but alcohol markers are a close second. There's just something about the scent and smooth flow of an alcohol marker that I love, and this jewel-toned set is so much fun!
Featuring shades like Watermelon Wishes, Cobalt Crush, Teal Dawn, Spiced Sunrise, Wine Not?, and Purple Reign, the names are playful, but the vibrant colors are even more impressive. These markers have incredible ink flow and are perfect for comic illustrations, coloring, and so much more. With dual-ended nibs, they're incredibly versatile and a joy to use.
We absolutely love them! Just be sure to place a sheet of paper underneath your artwork so the ink doesn't bleed through onto your table or countertop... ask me how I know! Whoops!
Copic Sketch Marker - Retail Value $7.99
The next item I received was another alcohol marker, this time from the Copic Sketch line. I already have a few Copic markers in my collection, and they're fantastic, but I didn't have the Chrome Orange shade.
This vibrant orange hue is gorgeous and pairs beautifully with the jewel-toned SketchBox markers we received. Like the others, it features dual-ended nibs, making it versatile and fun to use. I'm always happy to add another Copic marker to my collection!
Sakura Pigma Sketch Brush Pen in Black - Retail Value $3.50
The next item I received was a black Sakura Pigma Sketch Brush Pen. If you've read my reviews before, you already know these pens are an absolute favorite of mine. The fine brush tip is perfect for outlining, sketching, and adding expressive details to an illustration. Honestly, I even enjoy using these pens for everyday writing!
The rich black pigment pairs beautifully with this month's jewel-toned color palette, and this pen has been happily welcomed into my collection. I know I'll be using it until every last drop of ink is gone!
Faber-Castell Polychromos in White - Retail Value $3.50
I didn't think I'd be very excited to receive a white colored pencil, but I was pleasantly surprised! The sharp point and its ability to layer over the alcohol markers are amazing. This little white pencil adds incredible dimension to your artwork and creates highlights that really make your illustrations pop.
It's amazing how such a simple tool can make such a big impact!
SketchBox Signature Professional Marker Paper - Retail Value $10.75
I love that SketchBox includes paper every month, and this month's Signature Marker Paper was a great addition! Featuring 24 sheets of 180 gsm paper, I especially loved the 4" x 7" size. It's a little longer than usual, making it the perfect format for creating small pieces.
The smooth surface allows the markers to glide effortlessly across the paper, and it paired beautifully with all of this month's supplies.
Testing
This month's color set was absolutely gorgeous. With a variety of hues, the opportunities are seriously endless!
SketchBox August Project
This month, we received a really fun step-by-step tutorial for creating a stained glass-inspired cactus and sun illustration. It gave me major Mark Kistler Imagination Station vibes, and I absolutely loved it!
I was a little hesitant at first because the tutorial had us skip the pencil sketch and go straight in with the pen. Thankfully, everything worked out! After outlining the design, I filled in the lighter colors with the markers before layering additional shades to create depth and dimension.
I got so absorbed in the project that I completely forgot to stop and take progress photos, which I apologize for. One of my favorite parts was overlapping the marker colors to create new hues, especially on the cactus. This was a style I hadn't really experimented with before, but I had so much fun bringing it to life.
Adding the white highlights at the end really made the piece pop, and I was happy with how closely it resembled the tutorial while still reflecting my own personal touches. Overall, this was a fantastic project, and I can't wait to keep experimenting with these supplies!
The Verdict
SketchBox is a fantastic subscription service that delivers high-quality art supplies across a wide range of mediums. This month’s Jewel Toned Illustration Marker Premium Box featured a medium I really enjoy and was so excited to explore! With enough materials to create multiple pieces of artwork, I was very happy with the overall curation and variety in this box.
While my schedule has still been busy, I’m looking forward to using these supplies more in the near future and hope to create something to enter into our local fair! Overall, I had a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see what September’s box has in store. Any guesses?
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
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 Jewel Toned Illustration Marker Premium Box $40. The included contents card had a $60.24 value, which is quite a bit 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 August box was July 21st, but you can still subscribe to get next month's box or buy this box in their shop as the Jewel Toned Illustration Marker Premium Box.
What do you think of SketchBox?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.