Scrawlrbox January 2024 Review: Art Supplies & Honest Testing
What's Inside January's Scrawlrbox?
Choosing art subscription boxes can feel risky when you don't know what you'll get. January's Scrawlrbox delivers five specialized tools curated for character illustration. After analyzing every item, three standout supplies deserve your attention. Windsor & Newton Promarkers in Blush, Tan, and Spice form the color core - alcohol-based markers with bullet and chisel nibs designed for detailing and filling areas. Faber-Castell contributes a water-soluble 2H pencil and Pitt Artist Pen in opaque white. Rounding out the kit are Sakura's Pigma Brush pen for variable line work and a ultra-fine 0.1mm Pigma Micron. Canaletto's 160 GSM Liscia paper provides the testing surface with its notably smooth marker-friendly finish. This Italian-made paper prevented bleeding during our blending tests.
Professional Insights on Marker Performance
Alcohol-based markers demand paper that prevents feathering. The Canaletto sheet handled layered applications impressively - a crucial detail for illustrators building depth. When cross-testing the Promarkers, three observations emerged:
- Chisel nibs excelled at filling large areas without streaking
- Color layering created new tones (Spice over Tan produced rich amber)
- Fast-drying formula allowed reapplication in under 30 seconds
Surprisingly, the white Pitt Artist Pen underperformed at coverage. Despite its promise of opacity, two layers still showed marker undertones. For critical highlights, we recommend Posca paint markers instead. The Pigma Brush pen delivered exceptional line variation until its nib retracted inexplicably during testing - a durability concern for heavy users.
Creating Character Illustrations with the Kit
Building Emotional Narratives Through Art
The box's theme "growing up" challenged us to convey adolescent awkwardness through visual language. Using only the kit's earth tones required strategic color assignment:
- Tan became multipurpose: Hair, pants, and shoe base
- Spice warmed skin tones: Cheeks, neck shadows, and shoe accents
- Blush created depth: Under-chin shading and knee "skin" through holes
A key technique emerged during our illustration:
"Limiting your palette forces creative problem-solving. When Spice pulled double-duty as both skin tone and clothing accent, it created visual cohesion that a broader palette might lack."
Pose and Proportion Storytelling
Body language communicates what colors cannot. To express insecurity during growth spurts, we developed this checklist:
- Shortened sleeves/pants - visibly above ankles/wrists
- Hunched posture - shoulders curved inward
- Averted gaze - no direct eye contact
- Ill-fitting clothes - tight collars and pulled seams
The Promarkers' chisel nibs proved ideal for filling clothing areas quickly, while the 0.1mm Micron captured facial nuances like hesitant sideways glances. Canaletto paper's texture held fine lines without feathering - essential for conveying subtle emotions.
Advanced Artist Takeaways
Kit Limitations and Workarounds
While the color story works for earth-toned illustrations, skin tone diversity suffers without warm mid-range hues. Solution: Layer Blush and Spice at 3:1 ratio for light-medium skin. The 2H pencil's hard lead demanded careful pressure - softer 4B pencils better suit preliminary sketching.
Paper compatibility tests revealed optimal partners:
| Paper Type | Marker Performance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Canaletto 160GSM | ★★★★☆ | Blend-heavy work |
| Mixed Media | ★★★☆☆ | Mixed techniques |
| Bristol Smooth | ★★☆☆☆ | Line-dominant art |
Where This Box Excels
Scrawlrbox's true value lies in curated color harmony. These three Promarkers form a versatile minimalist palette capable of creating:
- Natural landscapes (Tan terrain, Spice wood, Blush sky)
- Portrait studies (Spice skin, Tan hair, Blush lips)
- Urban scenes (Tan buildings, Spice accents, Blush signs)
The 2024 Italian paper selection outperformed previous months' sheets in alcohol marker tests. For illustrators exploring limited palettes, this box delivers exceptional educational value.
Your Immediate Art Toolkit
- Test marker layering on scrap paper first
- Use light pencil pressure with 2H leads
- Reserve white pen for small highlights only
- Exploit chisel nibs for quick background fills
- Create custom tones through strategic layering
Professional Resource Recommendations
- Color and Light by James Gurney (explains limited-palette theory)
- Tombow Dual Brush Pens (better white opacity than Pitt)
- Strathmore Marker Paper (superior blending for beginners)
- The Sketching Club (online community for technique sharing)
Final Verdict on January's Scrawlrbox
This box shines for character illustrators exploring emotional storytelling through constrained palettes. While the white pen and brush pen durability disappointed, the Promarkers and Canaletto paper make compelling arguments for subscription value. At $30 retail, the alcohol markers alone justify the cost.
"Growth often means working within limitations - and this kit beautifully proves artistic constraints breed innovation."
Question for fellow artists: When using limited palettes, what unexpected color solution solved your biggest challenge? Share your breakthrough moment below!
