ArtSnacks January Box Review: Metallic Art Supplies Tested
Unboxing ArtSnacks' January Metallic Treasure Trove
Art subscription boxes promise exciting surprises, but do they deliver professional-grade tools? After testing ArtSnacks' January box featuring metallic-focused supplies, I discovered both gems and limitations that every artist should consider. The unboxing revealed four key items: Faber-Castell Polymatic mechanical pencil, ZIG Wink of Luna brush pen, Marvy Le Pen permanent marker, and Kuretake CROMAKE paint marker – all analyzed through hands-on creation.
Product Breakdown: Performance Under the Microscope
Faber-Castell Polymatic Mechanical Pencil (0.7mm)
This violet-hued pencil features a sturdy metal barrel and integrated eraser. During sketching, its weight provided control for precise lines, though the 0.7mm lead limits detailed work. Industry data shows 0.3-0.5mm leads dominate technical illustration, making this better for rough layouts.
ZIG Wink of Luna "Metallic Violet" Brush Pen
Resembling a cosmetic product, this pen required significant shaking and downward squeezing to activate. Once flowing, it delivered a shimmering purple with moderate opacity. Critical finding: Pigment settled quickly during testing, requiring reshaking every few minutes – impractical for longer sessions.
Marvy Le Pen Permanent Marker
The fine tip excelled at detailing but couldn't layer over opaque mediums. When tested on CROMAKE paint, it vanished completely. This positions it strictly as a final-line tool rather than a versatile workhorse.
Kuretake CROMAKE K60 "Gold" Paint Marker
The star performer delivered brilliant, high-pigment metallic gold straight from the chisel tip. Unlike the Wink of Luna, it maintained consistent flow without shaking interruptions. Its opacity completely covered underlying pencil sketches – a double-edged sword requiring strategic application.
Creating with Constraints: Practical Artwork Insights
Testing these supplies together revealed crucial compatibility considerations:
- Layer intelligently: Opaque metallics (like CROMAKE) obliterate underlying sketches. Use pencil lightly as positional guides only
- Detail workaround: When Le Pen vanished under metallics, I used pencil shading to recreate definition – a viable salvage technique
- Color harmony: Complementary metallics (purple/gold) created elegant contrast, but the purple's weaker sheen required strategic placement near gold accents
- Tool-driven design: The CROMAKE's broad tip dictated larger gold elements (dress), while Wink of Luna's finer brush handled headband details
Unexpected limitation: Neither metallic could render fine lines. For final details like bow definition, I reluctantly supplemented with a white gel pen – highlighting the kit's gap in precision metallics.
Exclusive Analysis: Are ArtSnacks Boxes Worth It?
While the curated theme excited creativity, the January box's real value lies in discovery over consistency. The CROMAKE alone retails near the box's price, making it worthwhile for experimenting with premium brands. However, three considerations emerge:
- Beginner caveat: The Wink of Luna's finicky mechanism frustrates newcomers
- Professional gap: Missing skin-tone options limited portrait versatility
- Trend insight: Brands like POSCA now dominate metallic markers with reliable flow – making ArtSnacks' inclusion of problematic tools questionable
Actionable Artist Recommendations
- Test opacity first: Apply each medium on scrap paper before committing to artwork
- Shake vigorously: Metallic pigments separate – shake Wink of Luna for 60+ seconds before use
- Layer strategically: Sketch > Apply opaque colors > Add fine details last
- Supplement smartly: Pair with a white gel pen (like Uni-ball Signo) for essential highlights
Tool recommendations:
- Beginners: Try Kuretake CROMAKE first for reliable metallics
- Professionals: Supplement with POSCA markers for finer lines
- Sketch artists: Faber-Castell pencil excels for quick studies
Final Verdict: Metallic Potential with Performance Quirks
ArtSnacks' January box delivers exciting experimentation with high-pigment metallics, but the Wink of Luna's inconsistency and missing skin tones reveal curation gaps. The CROMAKE gold’s exceptional opacity makes it the standout worth the box price alone. For artists seeking reliable metallics, I recommend buying CROMAKE markers directly and pairing them with finer-tipped alternatives.
What's your biggest challenge with metallic art supplies? Share your experiences below!
