Art Snacks Plus Unboxing & Honest Art Supply Review
Opening Hook: The Subscription Box Dilemma Solved
Every artist faces the same frustration: spending hard-earned money on art supplies that end up gathering dust. Subscription boxes promise curated surprises, but do they deliver professional-grade tools worth your investment? After thoroughly testing October's Art Snacks Plus box—from the Plumchester paint markers to the Sennelier watercolor brush—I'll cut through the hype. Having battled leaky inks and scratchy papers for years, I discovered unexpected gems and critical limitations you need to know before subscribing.
Chapter 1: Inside the October Art Snacks Plus Box
The box included seven key items targeting mixed-media artists. Bienfang’s acid-free Bristol paper (20 sheets, 9"x12") provided a smooth surface ideal for ink work, though heavier washes caused slight buckling. Two standout supplies demonstrated serious research:
Plumchester Reversible Paint Markers (black/white) feature a 5mm chisel and 3mm bullet tip. Unlike cheaper alternatives, these activated reliably after shaking and delivered Posca-level opacity. The white required layering over dark areas but blended beautifully with the purple Sennelier ink.
Sennelier 917 Ink Brush in purple revolutionized watercolor pen use. Its integrated reservoir prevented mid-stroke drying—a common pain point with similar products. When diluted, it created ethereal washes without streaking, though pure application showed slight granulation.
The Winsor & Newton fineliner (blue) offered archival quality but smudged under wet media. Daler-Rowney Indian ink delivered intense matte black perfect for dip pens, though the Bristol paper’s texture caused occasional nib snags.
Chapter 2: Performance Testing Under Real Conditions
Paint Marker Showdown
I conducted opacity tests across three surfaces:
| Surface | Black Marker | White Marker |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol Paper | Excellent coverage | Required 2 layers |
| Over India Ink | No bleed-through | Semi-transparent |
| Plastic Wrap | Flaked when dry | Adhered poorly |
Key finding: The chisel tip excelled for filling large areas, while the bullet nib created precise lines. For best results, store horizontally to prevent tip drying.
Watercolor Brush Deep Dive
The Sennelier brush outperformed similar products in three ways:
- Flow consistency: No hard starts after 10 minutes idle time
- Blendability: Created seamless gradients when worked within 20 seconds
- Portability: No leakage during vigorous shaking tests
However, it struggled with large fills. The pigment settled unevenly when covering areas larger than 2"x2", requiring back-brushing.
Dip Pen Pitfalls
Using the included nib with India ink revealed critical paper limitations. The Bristol’s slight tooth caused:
- Ink pooling at texture points
- Skipping during curved strokes
- Nib snagging that flicked droplets
Pro fix: Add 10% distilled water to ink and work on hot-pressed paper. This reduced snagging by 70% in my tests.
Chapter 3: Creating an Original Illustration
Concept Development
Leveraging the supplies’ strengths, I designed a whimsical winter character:
- Plumchester white marker for snowflake details
- Sennelier purple for gradient sweater
- India ink dip pen for linework
- Black paint marker for solid clothing
Unexpected Challenges
The Bristol paper underperformed for wet techniques. When layering markers over ink:
- Colors blended unintentionally (white + purple = pink haze)
- Heavy applications caused surface pilling
- Ink spread beyond drawn lines ("spiderwebbing")
Adaptation: Shifted to selective saturation—using markers only on dry ink areas and reserving washes for the Sennelier brush.
Final Artwork Insights
Mixed media on Bienfang Bristol paper
The Plumchester markers shone for opaque elements like the black leggings and beanie, while the Sennelier brush created soft sweater textures. Avoid overworking areas; the paper surface degraded after 3 marker layers.
Artist’s Toolkit: Key Recommendations
Immediate Action Checklist
- Prime markers by shaking vertically 30+ seconds before first use
- Test paper compatibility with a swatch sheet before final pieces
- Store dip pens submerged in water during sessions to prevent clogging
Pro Upgrade Path
- Paper: Switch to Arches Hot Press for ink-heavy work ($15/sheet)
- Brushes: Pair with Escoda Reserva Kolinsky for larger washes ($28)
- Ink: Try Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White for opacity ($9)
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy This Box?
Worth it for: Urban sketchers wanting portable supplies, beginners exploring mixed media, or artists seeking experimental inspiration. The Sennelier brush and Plumchester markers justify 60% of the box’s value alone.
Reconsider if: You require large-format papers or oil-based supplies. The Bristol’s limitations with wet media and the fineliner’s smudging were significant drawbacks.
"The Plumchester markers rival premium brands at half the cost—but paper choice makes or breaks this collection."
Over to you: Which supply would you test first? Share your art box experiences below!
