As I turned the corner into SketchBox monthly subscription items, I decided to do three at a time like the last 3 months of 2023.
The #SketchBoxJanuary of 2024 box took me way out of my comfort zone, dealing with charcoal, and pastels on colored paper. It was a great exercise for me since I hadn’t done anything with pastels or charcoal since high school, and I’m not telling how many years ago that was except to say I just attended my 50 year high school reunion. 😉
This month’s box included the following: Royal Talens Willow Charcoal, Derwent Drawing Pencils (Custom set: China White, Ivory Black, Light Sienna), CarbOthello Pastel Pencil ( Capul Martumm Red, English Deep Red), Rembrandt Soft Pastels (Half stick, 5 piece set – Rich Oranges), Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Big Brush (White), Rembrandt Toned Paper (Sanguine Red).
Really, really enjoyed using everything in this box and the results are shown below in the pictures. The paper was really nice, and so were all the pencils, pastels, and charcoal. However, I will say it was messy, but not surprising given the content. Had to do some major scrubbing on my work surface afterwards, not to mention my own self!
Royal Talens Willow Charcoal, Derwent Drawing Pencils (Custom set: China White, Ivory Black, Light Sienna), CarbOthello Pastel Pencil ( Capul Martumm Red, English Deep Red), Rembrandt Soft Pastels (Half stick, 5 piece set – Rich Oranges), Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Big Brush (White), Rembrandt Toned Paper (Sanguine Red)
Next is #SketchBoxFebruary of 2023. Back to using watercolor, but this was liquid watercolor…new to me, along with using a bamboo brush which I dearly LOVE now.
The box included the following: Schmincke Aqua Drop (Magenta, 30 ml), Jacquard HiTones Liquid Watercolor Set (Violet, leaf Green, 15 ml), Staedtler Triangular Colored Pencils (Green, Brown), Jacquard Bleed-Proof White, Zebra Sarasa (Black), Windsor & Newton Bamboo Brush (size 4),Bienfang Watercolor Paper (4×6, 12 sheets, 140lbs)
The paper was really nice, along with the variety of colors included. The colored pencils were wonderful to use, and something I will continue to use. I had never used colored pencils with watercolor, and I really like it. The bamboo brush is the BOMB…and I will enjoy using it in the future also…it can render many different strokes! The paper did buckle some, so I had to tape it down to keep from the buckling getting in the way, and causing effects I didn’t want.
Schmincke Aqua Drop (Magenta, 30 ml), Jacquard HiTones Liquid Watercolor Set (Violet, leaf Green, 15 ml), Staedtler Triangular Colored Pencils (Green, Brown), Jacquard Bleed-Proof White, Zebra Sarasa (Black), Windsor & Newton Bamboo Brush (size 4),Bienfang Watercolor Paper (4×6, 12 sheets, 140lbs)
And finally, #SketchboxMarch of 2024 utilized a selection of markers and pencils to be used in combination. I had some trouble with the shading on each drawing I do, but like I’ve said before, I desperately need practice, and will continue to do so.
This box included: Archer & Olive Paint Pen ( Shroom & Asparagus), Copic Calo (New Leaf, Moss, and Olive), Holbein Colored Pencils Set ( White, Fir Green, & Lamp Black), Hahnemuhle Manga Paper (4×6, 20 sheets, 80 gsm).
First let me say the paper seemed flimsy, but even though you loaded the paper with lots of blending and repeated layers of marker and pencils, it didn’t exactly bleed through onto the next sheet of paper. you could see it on the back of the paper, but it wasn’t wet, which I found interesting. And I can’t say I’m entirely happening with the outcome of what I f(noshed for the month, but again…I need to continue on.
Archer & Olive Paint Pen ( Shroom & Asparagus), Copic Calo (New Leaf, Moss, and Olive), Holbein Colored Pencils Set ( White, Fir Green, & Lamp Black), Hahnemuhle Manga Paper (4×6, 20 sheets, 80 gsm).
Concludes my review of #SketchBoxJanuary of 2024, #SketchBoxFebruary of 2024, and #SketchBoxMarch of 2024. I’ll get caught up soon, and you’ll only have to worry about reading one of these reviews a month – ha! 😎👣👏
hailey-stout studio 