This month’s SketchBox Premium box was a treat for fans of bold color and painterly mark-making. Featuring a full set of SketchBox Signature Acrylic Brush Markers, this collection inspired me to explore both non-objective design and more layered, representational approaches.
What’s in the Box?
According to the SketchBox product page, this month's Premium box includes:
-
A SketchBox Signature set of 6 custom acrylic brush markers – highly pigmented, smooth, and layerable with brush tips that offer precision and expressive control.
-
2 Karin Pigment Real Brush Markers in Lilac and Ochre - water-based pigment markers with a softer, more flexible tip.
-
A Pink Prismacolor Col-Erase pencil - great for sketching under marker since it’s both visible and erasable.
-
A Gold Posca Brush Marker - a pump-action brush pen that adds a semi-opaque metallic sheen.
-
A Clairefontaine 4x6 Bristol Pad (10 sheets) - with brilliant white paper designed to highlight the intensity of marker colors.
First Impressions and Materials
The acrylic brush markers were a standout for me. I loved how layerable the pigment was and how the slightly stiffer brush nib gave me a greater sense of control. These markers made it easy to add details and revisit areas without lifting or muddying the layers underneath.
In contrast, the Karin Pigment Real Brush markers had a much more flexible tip, which felt less controlled in my hand. While I appreciate that they’re meant to blend, I personally preferred the firmness of the SketchBox Signature nibs.
The Gold Posca Brush Marker was a fun addition. It has a larger, softer tip and delivers a rich metallic sheen. It's about 50% transparent when applied quickly, but can build up to full opacity if layered or applied more slowly. I used it as a final touch to add glints of shimmer over dried areas.
Trying the Tutorial: Non-Objective Design
I began by following the tutorial in the SketchBox insert, which focused on a flat, non-objective abstract composition. This gave me a chance to test how the colors layered and interacted. I enjoyed the process but found myself wanting to push the materials further to build up forms and experiment with layering to create depth.
Shifting Gears: A Tree Study
That curiosity led me to my next piece: a simple tree study. I started with the Col-Erase pencil to sketch the basic form. It was perfect for this kind of underdrawing - bold enough to see as I worked, but easy to hide beneath the markers once I began layering color. Before diving into details, I laid down some quick value using the orange and dark brown markers to establish light and shadow.
Final Result
The final artwork demonstrates what I loved most about this box: the freedom to layer and build vibrant surfaces, with enough control for precise detailing and mark-making. I used short dabs, sweeping strokes, and overlapping layers to create foliage and shadows. The acrylic markers held up beautifully, even when revisiting the same area multiple times. The gold Posca added a soft sparkle to some of the highlights and ground.
Final Thoughts
This SketchBox was both versatile and inspiring. Whether you're an abstract artist or someone who likes to work from observation, the blend of opaqueness, blendability, and surface compatibility makes this a strong pick. I especially recommend it for artists who enjoy layering and building surfaces with a painterly touch, but still want the ease and precision of a marker.
Have you tried this month’s SketchBox? Let me know what you created. I’d love to see how others explored these tools!
No comments:
Post a Comment