ScrawlrBox February Review: Watercolor Fish Art Techniques

Unboxing the February ScrawlrBox Mystery

Opening an art subscription box feels like a creative Christmas morning. The February ScrawlrBox delivers UK-exclusive supplies often hard to find stateside. Inside the vibrant packaging, you’ll discover:

• Derwent Graphitint watercolor set in Pastel Shades (15 pans)
• Sakura Gelly Roll gel pen (Size 08)
• A5 Aqua Pad watercolor paper (300gsm, 10 sheets)
• Limited edition art print and sticker
• ScrawlrZine inspiration magazine
• UK candy (Strawberry & Tutti Frutti flavors)

The included reef-themed print immediately sparks creativity. Its intricate fish patterns showcase exactly what these pastel watercolors can achieve. For US-based artists, this box solves access problems while introducing unique materials.

Mastering Derwent Graphitint Watercolors

Swatching and Pigment Behavior

These watercolors demand a different approach than traditional pans. Initial swatches revealed patchiness when pigment wasn’t fully emulsified with water. Proper activation requires vigorous brush swirling in the pan before application. Once mastered, they deliver a distinctive matte finish with soft opacity.

Key characteristics observed:

• Reactivation capability: Layer colors without muddying previous applications
• Granulation effects: Creates organic texture in washes
• Pastel limitations: Mixing won’t achieve deep saturation (intentional for this set)

Fish Painting Techniques Tested

Three approaches yielded distinct results:

1. Wet-on-dry layering: Sketch first, then build transparent color. Best for controlled details like scales.
2. Wet-in-wet blending: Pre-wet paper, drop in pigments. Ideal for seamless gradients on fins.
3. Negative space painting: Apply dark tones, then lift color for patterns. Perfect for dotted textures.

The wet-in-wet method proved most effective for capturing the ethereal quality of aquatic life. For the betta fish painting, starting with a light gray wash established depth. Gradual layering of orange created luminous transitions reminiscent of flowing fins.

Professional Application Tips

Combining Mediums Successfully

The Sakura Gelly Roll pen initially resisted adhering to watercolor surfaces. Solution:

1. Ensure paper is completely dry (15+ minutes)
2. Apply gentle, consistent pressure
3. Use quick strokes rather than slow dragging

Line art works best over lighter washes where pigment density is lower. For darker areas, white Posca paint pens provided better coverage than the included gel pen.

Advanced Texture Tricks

• Salt technique: Sprinkle kosher salt on wet washes for crystalline effects
• Dry brush scumbling: Use minimal water to create scale textures
• Layered glazing: Build intensity in shadows without muddiness

"These watercolors excel at creating underwater luminosity when you embrace their low-saturation nature rather than fighting it."

Final Verdict and Alternatives

Is This Box Worth It?

Value breakdown:

• Graphitint set ($25 retail)
• Aqua Pad ($6)
• Gelly Roll ($3)
• Exclusive extras ($10+ value)

Total value exceeds the $35 subscription cost. Recommended for:

• Watercolorists exploring granulating paints
• Artists wanting UK-exclusive supplies
• Creatives seeking themed inspiration

When to Consider Alternatives

If you need intense pigmentation, try Daniel Smith watercolors instead. For beginners, Cotman sets offer more forgiving consistency.

Your Artist Action Plan

1. Swatch strategically: Test each color at 3 water-to-pigment ratios
2. Embrace transparency: Build layers gradually instead of forcing opacity
3. Seal textures: Use Krylon workable fixative before adding line art
4. Join communities: r/watercolor and Sketchbook Skool for technique sharing

Which technique will you try first? Share your fish art experiments below!