I am embarrassingly posting my non-accomplishments for the next 3 months of #SketchBoxApril2024, #SketchBoxMay2024, and #SketchBoxJune2024. None of these turned out the way I would have liked.
Let’s start with April, which was a pastel-focused box of goodies. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE everything SketchBox sends because they are boxes full of things I may not have familiarity of, or haven’t dabbled in ever, or maybe since high school art class.
PanPastel Artists Pastels (magenta, violet, burnt sienna tint) with sponges as blender), Sofft Applicators (additional tips), Faber-Castell Goldfaber (#123 & #132) Art Spectrum Colourfix Medium Tooth Deep Black 4×9”, 6 sheets, 230 lb
(Detail card missing)
From the above pic, you can see the contents of the box. Always love the colors chosen and the YouTube tutorials are VERY helpful to me. That doesn’t mean I’m successful. The little daubers sent for the pan pastels were very sensitive to, and for me, since the black sanded paper was rough, and I didn’t realize how the paper would destroy the tiny spongy ends. The first was supposed to be a sunset in the purple, magenta colors, but I obviously had trouble.
The second, I had better luck with in that I walked away from the pastels and did some thinking about it, telling myself I could do better, and to not get too awfully frustrated. I enjoyed the second attempt much more, and feel like I did better. The gladiolas came from our flower bed, and I do love gladiolas. My mother told me years ago that her mother’s favorite flowers were gladiolas, so I’ve tried to have some in my flower bed ever since.
#SketchBoxMay2024 was challenging for me because I had trouble controlling the color after applying water to what I had brushed on. Having said that, I have historically been a pen and ink, and watercolor person. (And indulge in much detail). One thing I struggle with in all of these is the small paper (most are 4″ x 6″). I am used to something usually 11″ x14″ size. Having said that, I enjoy the exposure to the different forms of paper that are enclosed in each monthly box.
Custom Zig CLEAN COLOR Real Brush Set (416 Sea Green, 418 Billiard Green, 601 Sand, & 503 Summer Sun), Sketchbox Signature Oval Wash Brush (1/4”), Prismacolor Col-erase, Ecoline Duotip (407 Deep Ochre & 533 Indigo), Jacquard Watercolor Medium (Pearl White), Magnani Incisioni Bianca (4×6”, 10 sheets)
The first try with this month’s box is an orchid (love growing and tending my orchids). I’m telling you what it is because you probably can’t tell…ha! Plus, the speckles in the real orchid are purple and not teal. Again, I had a control issue and will definitely need to work on that, but it’s also the challenge that’s fun.
The second rendering is beachy because the “prompt” for this month’s box was “beach”. Again…I need to,practice and will try again, and probably on another larger piece of paper.
I do like some of the watery effects in the horizon, and I used the Jacquard Pearl watercolor medium as a fine wash over the sky and the sand…it did make things a bit shimmery, but you can’t see it in this pic.
For the #SketchBoxJune 2024 box, the focus was on charcoal. Another medium I am not strong in, but I gave it a do-or-die try, and will continue to work with these things.
Nitrum Starter Kit (4 sticks charcoal, Sharpening Block), Rembrandt Soft Pastel (Grey), Kneaded Eraser, Hero Arts Ink Blender, Sharpie Peel-off China Marker (Black & White), Cretacolor Charcoal Pencils (3), Premium Art Paper Mixed Media (medium grain surface, 150g/m, Grey Toned)
I’m telling you what the rendering is since I’m not sure you can tell…! And it’s the same for the next try…it’s a cloudy moon with mountains and water in the fore ground. Yes, folks…I really, really, really need to practice with this.
To conclude…I had a mess after using the pastels and the charcoal, but both were easily cleaned up. Not only was my drawing surface covered in a fine layer of dust, but so was I. A pastel and charcoal spray fixative is necessary to seal any work you do when using these. Stay tuned for 3 more months of #getSketchBox reviews. 😁🥰
hailey-stout studio 