Scrawler Box Unboxing: Graphite Sketching Tools & Dinosaur Eye Tutorial

Unboxing Scrawler Box: Premium Graphite Tools

Opening an art subscription box feels like a monthly Christmas morning. The February Scrawler Box theme focused entirely on graphite sketching essentials. After examining the contents, I identified these professional-grade tools:

• Derwent Graphic Pencil Tin (8B, 6B, 4B, 2B, HB, 2H)
• Pentel Superb Tech needle point pen
• Two Artline 220 Super Fine 0.2mm pens (red and brown)
• Sakura Jelly Roll white gel pen
• Scrawler Box exclusive sticker
• Derwent Art Erasers (gentle and highly effective versions)
• Theme-inspired sketchbook featuring Gemma Styles' owl artwork

The curated selection demonstrates Scrawler Box's understanding of artists' needs. Unlike generic art kits, they include specialized tools like needle-point pens for precision linework and dual erasers for different correction scenarios—proving their industry expertise in material selection.

Pencil Hardness Decoded: Your Graphite Guide

The Derwent set's H/B markings confused me initially. Through testing while drawing my dinosaur eye, I discovered:

• H pencils (e.g., 2H): Harder leads create lighter, sharper lines ideal for initial sketches
• B pencils (e.g., 8B): Softer leads deliver richer darks perfect for shadows and texture
• HB: The balanced middle ground

Pro tip: Start with harder pencils (2H) for outlines, then layer softer grades (4B-8B) for depth. This prevents premature smudging and gives you more control over value transitions. I learned this when my initial 8B sketches became overly muddy.

Creating a Dinosaur Eye: Step-by-Step Technique

Scrawler Box's "Nature's Eye" challenge inspired my velociraptor eye drawing. Follow this process using your box supplies:

Step 1: Structural Sketching

1. Lightly outline the eye shape with 2H pencil
2. Position the brow ridge and scales
3. Key insight: Dinosaur eyes have horizontal pupils like modern reptiles—reference paleoart for accuracy

Step 2: Texture and Shading

1. Use cross-hatching with 4B pencil for scale textures
2. Apply directional shading: Darken lower scale edges to imply overhead light
3. Build depth gradually—my rushed dark areas required excessive erasing

"The Derwent erasers saved my process. The black 'gentle' version blended smudges seamlessly, while the white 'highly effective' erased stubborn lines."

Step 3: Color Application

Though graphite-focused, I incorporated the Artline pens:

• Brown pen for iris base
• Red for outer iris intensity
• Game-changer: Yellow marker (not in box) added reptilian warmth
• Sakura gel pen highlights created corneal shine (despite initial flow issues)

Table: Pen Performance Comparison

Tool	Best For	Limitation
Artline 220 Brown	Subtle texture lines	Limited blendability
Artline 220 Red	Dramatic accents	Can overpower graphite
Sakura Jelly Roll	Surface highlights	Requires light pressure

Beyond the Box: Professional Art Tips

Drawing the dinosaur eye revealed three critical insights not covered in the video:

1. Scale rhythm matters: Varying scale sizes (large near eye, smaller toward edges) creates biological realism. I used 2B for small scales and 6B for prominent ones.
2. Fix gel pens: If ink skips, draw circles on scrap paper first. The friction warms the ink flow.
3. Subscription pro tip: Rotate between different Scrawler Box themes quarterly to build a versatile toolkit without duplicate supplies.

Advanced Resource Recommendations

• Book: Drawing Dinosaurs by James Gurney (for scientifically accurate textures)
• Tool: Blending stumps (missing in box but essential for smooth graphite gradients)
• Community: PaleoArtists Guild on Facebook—share dinosaur art for expert feedback

Your Artistic Challenge Toolkit

Apply these techniques with any Scrawler Box:

1. Test all pencils on scrap paper first—note each grade’s darkness and texture
2. Layer pens over graphite only after sealing pencil work with fixative
3. Photograph your work hourly to track progress and identify improvement areas
4. Join the monthly challenge even if intimidated—growth happens outside comfort zones

"Scrawler Box isn't just supplies—it's a creativity catalyst. The themed challenges pushed me to draw subjects I'd never attempt otherwise." - From my dinosaur eye experience

Start your next nature-inspired piece today. Which animal eye will you draw first? Share your Scrawler Box creations in the comments—I’ll respond with personalized tips!