ScrawlrBox Review: Testing Monthly Art Supplies & Lettering Tips
Unboxing ScrawlrBox: First Impressions
Opening November’s ScrawlrBox feels like a curated art adventure. The standout? A vibrant Edding 1200 metallic pen demanding immediate attention. Inside, you’ll find:
- Three Ecoline brush markers (pink, blue, green)
- A grey coloring marker for shadow effects
- A Crayola marker
- Modular brush pens that interlock like LEGO® bricks
- Practice paper and novelty candy
The modular pens’ click-together design isn’t just playful—it solves storage headaches. As I tested them, their ergonomic grip stood out for prolonged drawing sessions.
Key Tools Tested
Edding 1200 Metallic Pen: Delivers subtle shine without overpowering glitter. Perfect for accent work but not as reflective as nail polish.
Ecoline Brush Pens: The blue variant’s "squishy" tip created smooth downstrokes, though it requires larger lettering.
Grey Shadow Marker: Essential for 3D effects. When layered correctly, it makes lettering "pop" off the page.
Lettering Techniques: Practical Tests and Fixes
Mastering Brush Calligraphy
During testing, consistency proved challenging. Here’s what worked:
- All-Caps Uniformity: Writing in consistent capital heights dramatically improved legibility, even with shaky handwriting.
- Speed Control: Slow upstrokes (thin lines) and swift downstrokes (thick lines) created balanced letterforms.
- Shadow Effect How-To:
- Imagine a northwest light source
- Apply grey marker to opposite edges
- Add white gel pen highlights top edges
Common Pitfall: Over-blending grey created muddiness. Apply sparingly!
Tool Performance Breakdown
| Tool | Best For | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Ecoline Blue | Bold lettering | Requires large spacing |
| Edding Metallic | Accent details | Subtle shine only |
| Grey Marker | 3D effects | Bleeds if over-applied |
Testing revealed minimal bleed-through on included paper—a major plus for layered work.
Beyond the Box: Pro Tips and Final Verdict
The video’s "highlight effect" technique works best with opaque pens. For deeper dimension, I recommend adding a second color layer before shadowing.
Is ScrawlrBox Worth It?
For beginners: The curated tools eliminate choice paralysis. Modular pens and technique guides accelerate learning.
For professionals: Limited advanced materials, but the surprise element sparks creativity.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Practice all-caps writing daily for cleaner lettering.
- Use grey markers at 45-degree angles for realistic shadows.
- Test paper bleed with markers before final pieces.
Upgrade Recommendation: Pair with Tombow Fudenosuke for finer strokes. Its firm tip complements ScrawlrBox’s flexible brushes.
Final Thoughts
ScrawlrBox delivers fun, quality tools that simplify skill-building. While the metallic pen’s shine is understated, the modular brushes and bleed-resistant paper are standouts. For $25/month, it’s ideal for artists seeking discovery over specificity.
Your Turn: Which lettering technique feels most daunting? Share your hurdle below—I’ll troubleshoot it!
