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The Dakota family of specialty pastel boxes are produced for us in Northern Italy by MABEF, makers of fine art easels and other artists supports since 1948. At MABEF, passion, creative spirit, expertise and the best raw materials are the foundation of their stellar reputation in producing fine art wood products.
All of our boxes are produced using solid beech wood or beech wood ply, utilize finger joined corner construction, feature high quality metal hardware and the finest leather handles. All boxes have a durable lacquered finish and are stamped with our distinctive Dakota Art Pastels buffalo logo. |
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Pochade Box Empty


With Blue Earth Pastels

Slotted Foam Removed


Optional Tripod Mount

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THE DAKOTA POCHADE BOX
'the ultimate compact pastel travel box'
FEATURES:
Outer Area for Paper Storage
Interior Smooth Work Surface
Memory Foam Pastel Cushioning
Open Interior Maximum Capacity
Set Hinges - No Wingnuts
Secure Latch for Safety
Tripod Mount Option
The newest addition to our family of pastel boxes is made to go! Compact, light (under 2lbs) and streamlined, the Pochade box is the ultimate box to keep your pastels at hand and ready to paint.
The Pochade has an open interior (no dividers) to accommodate more pastels. A panel with memory foam on one side and a bottom layer of memory foam gently cushions the pastels and holds them firmly in place. The inside of the box lid is your smooth work surface to attach paper. The hinges stop at approximately 45 degrees - no wingnuts to tighten! The outside top of the lid is inset to hold paper or pad (9x12) held in by leather straps. The locking latch stays securely closed. We also include a die cut gray foam piece (use optional) if you like to have your pastels separated in individual slots. The die cut foam has 90 slots measuring .5" x 1.25"- specifically designed for the Blue Earth 84 color set for this box.
DAKOTA POCHADE BLUE EARTH SET
We offer the Dakota Pochade with an 84 color value set of Blue Earth pastels - ready to go!
TO TRIPOD OR NOT TO TRIPOD
The Dakota Pochade Box is available in the standard model or a Tripod Mount model - fitted with an aluminum and stainless steel universal tripod mount plate and four rubber bumper feet.
The mount is a universal tripod mount from Guerrilla products - works great on their Ultra-Light Tripod.
The slotted foam used for Blue Earth Pastels can be removed to allow for an open space for miscellaneous pastels and accessories.
Click here to see the Guerrilla Ultra-Light Tripod
Click here to see Dakota Pastel Blocks
SPECIFICATIONS:
Closed Size: 10.5" x 13.5" x 1.75"" Weight: 1lb 14oz (empty) |
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DAKOTA DELUXE TRAVELER
"The best plein air box for pastel artists - lightweight, tough, and holds lots of pastels!"
Italian craftsmen produce the exquisite Dakota Deluxe Traveler pastel carriers to our specifications. Boxes are constructed of oiled, stain resistant beech wood, utilize finger joined corners and are fitted with high quality hardware and a leather handle. The lightweight and durable boxes are a briefcase design that offers pastel storage on both sides. Swivel latches secure removable panels that hold the pastels in place. We use memory foam in the bottom of the box and attached to the panels to gently cushion the pastels. Memory foam provides the ultimate in protection for your fragile pastels.
The interior of each box is divided into sections measuring 10.25" x 3 1/4". The small box has 6 sections and the large box has 10 sections. Each section will easily hold 20 full size large sticks of pastel or many more half sticks. The Small box is a wonderful size if you want to be very compact and still have great carrying capacity, at least 120 full sticks and as many as 250 half sticks. The Large box can hold more than 200 full size pastel sticks. Both boxes offer quick and easy access - open up the box, remove the panels and you are ready to paint.
For compactness and portability the Small box is the way to go - put it in a backpack! If you need more pastels for a workshop, trip or just to keep your pastels organized in your studio, the Large box offers greater capacity along with the same ease of access.
SPECIFICATIONS:
SMALL TRAVELER
Sections: 6 Closed Size: 11.25 x 12 x 2.25" Open: 11.25 x 24 x 1 1/4" Weight: 3lb 12oz
LARGE TRAVELER
Sections: 10 Closed Size: 11.25 x 17.25 x 2.25" Open: 11.25 x 35 x 1 1/4" Weight: 5lb 9oz
Click Here for Easels |
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Dakota Field
Empty Large

Dakota Field
Empty Small
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DAKOTA SPECIAL BLUE EARTH BOXES (empty)
Mabef boxes specifically designed for use with the vertical insertion foam utilized by Blue Earth pastels. These boxes also work on the Mabef Tripod Easels.
DAKOTA STUDIO BOX: This box accommodates the complete set of 336 Blue Earth in a handy and portable wood box - amazingly compact for a full set of pastels! The Studio box features a sliding cover and leather handle. The gray foam has three layers - one attached to a 'keeper' panel, two die cut layers with 364 slots and a flat bottom layer.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Size: 24" x 13" x 3"
Weight: 5lb
DAKOTA FIELD SKETCH BOX: A smaller version with the same construction as the Studio Box. The die cut foam layers have 182 slots. This smaller version promotes ease of travel and plein air painting.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Size: 12.5" x 12" x 3"
Weight: 3lb |
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GUERRILLA PAINTER ULTRA-LIGHT TRIPOD
A compact plein air accessory from Guerrilla Painter, the Ultra-Light works great with the new Dakota Pochade box with tripod mount. This lightweight and compact tripod adjusts in height up to 54", folds down to 17.5" in length and has a bubble level for convenience. The legs adjust independently for length and angle. A Quick Release Plate and shoulder carrying bag are included.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Size: 17.5" long when folded
Adjustable Height up to 54"
Weight: 2lb |
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DAKOTA STUDIO PASTEL TRAY
ORGANIZE YOUR PASTELS AND KEEP THEM CLEAN!
The Dakota Pastel Tray will help keep your studio organized, conveniently store your pastels and keep them cleaner! The tray is made in the USA using recycled cedar (expect natural variations in wood color, and surface imperfections of a recycled wood), metal screen and an aluminum catcher pan. Trays are designed to nest on top of each other for stacking when not in use. Each organizer tray is divided into 4 sections measuring 3 1/4" x 15". Troughs divide the sections and provide a convenient holder for the pastels you are currently using. The metal screen bottom allows pastel dust to fall through and keep your pastels cleaner! A removable aluminum oven liner catches the pastel dust and can be easily emptied.
Specifications:
Studio Tray Size: 17" x 20" x 1 1/2" - Weight: 3 lb |
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