Scrawlrbox April Review: Ecoline Brush Pens & Art Supply Test
Unboxing and Testing Scrawlrbox's April Art Supplies
As an artist reviewing the April Scrawlrbox, I immediately noticed the standout items: Royal Talens Ecoline brush pens in a pastel palette (Pastel Rose, Violet, Blue, Green, and Cold Grey Light). These liquid watercolor markers feature flexible brush tips ideal for blending and layering. The box also included a white kneaded eraser (unlike standard gray versions), two UniPin fineliners (0.1 Dark Grey and 0.5 Light Grey), and a Viking Element HB pencil.
Testing revealed the Ecoline pens' key strength: transparent, blendable pigments perfect for creating watercolor-like gradients. However, performance varied dramatically by paper. On the included watercolor paper (likely Canson XL), colors beaded and lifted fibers when layered, causing uneven coverage. On higher-quality stock, the same pens produced smooth washes. This inconsistency highlights a critical lesson: paper quality directly impacts watercolor marker results.
Professional Art Supply Analysis
Kneaded erasers offer graphite absorption without shredding debris—ideal for bedside sketching. The white variant shows dirt less visibly than traditional gray. Meanwhile, UniPin fineliners feature viewfinder windows for ink monitoring, with 0.1mm tips excelling at detail work and 0.5mm for bold outlines.
Ecoline brush pens operate best under specific conditions:
- Work rapidly: Blend colors within 1-2 minutes before initial layers dry.
- Limit layering: 2-3 passes maximum to prevent paper pilling.
- Pre-wet paper: For softer blends, dampen surfaces before applying pigment.
- Avoid graphite underdrawings: Lead can muddy transparent hues.
Pro Tip: Use pastels for ethereal effects like mermaid scales or atmospheric depth. Cold Grey Light creates subtle shadows without overpowering hues.
Art Technique Insights and Paper Recommendations
During the Mermay illustration test, light sketching with the Viking pencil followed by kneaded eraser refinement prevented visible indents. Fineliners defined flowing hair and rope details, while Ecoline pens layered shell tones (Pastel Rose over Violet created pearlescent effects).
For optimal Ecoline results, switch to:
- Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor: Handles layering without pilling ($12/sheet).
- Arches Cold Press: Maintains pigment brightness during blends ($3/sheet).
- Bristol Smooth: For crisp fineliner work over light washes.
Budget artists can pretreat cheaper paper with light water spray and work in thin, single layers.
Actionable Artist Checklist
- Swatch new supplies on your preferred paper before committing to final art.
- Seal kneaded erasers in airtight containers to prevent hardening.
- Layer Ecoline colors from lightest to darkest to preserve transparency.
- Use 0.1mm fineliners for texture details like scales or hair strands.
- Photograph pencil sketches before coloring as insurance against mistakes.
For advanced techniques, explore The Watercolorist's Guide to Marker Blending (Amazon) or join Reddit’s r/Watercolor community for troubleshooting.
Final Verdict
Scrawlrbox’s April offering provides high-potential materials undercut by inconsistent paper quality. The Ecoline brush pens deliver professional results on appropriate surfaces, making them a versatile addition to any watercolorist’s toolkit.
Which art supply flaw frustrates you most? Share your biggest paper or pigment struggle below!
