The team at Daybreak kindly sent me their Standard Daybreak Easel to try out. It’s a 9x12” palette box and panel holder kit that pairs with a tripod, featuring a beautiful design that performs just as beautifully in the field. After giving it a thorough test outdoors during some plein air painting at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal and later finishing the painting back in my home studio, I’m excited to share my experience.

Whether you're painting outdoors en plein air or working in the familiar ambience of your home studio, the right easel setup makes all the difference. It’s not just about holding a canvas in place; it’s about creating an ergonomically satisfying experience that provides everything you need for a focused and immersive painting experience.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my first impressions, how the easel performed in the field, and how it worked as a tabletop setup at home. Spoiler: this is one of the most thoughtfully designed art tools I’ve ever used and it’s clearly crafted with real artists in mind.

The Daybreak Easel and its components neatly arranged by the fountain at Cincinnati’s Union Terminal and Museum Center

First Impressions

The Daybreak Easel arrived carefully packaged, with components neatly organized and a set of detailed, easy-to-understand instructions. The first thing I noticed was the exquisitely crafted wood design and the artfully wood-burned logo, which immediately spoke to the care and authenticity behind the product.

Built from lightweight plywood and 3D-printed parts, the easel feels like it was designed by someone who genuinely paints and knows what’s essential. It uses modern fabrication in a tasteful, intentional way that results in a glove-fit experience for artists. It’s a lightweight easel that’s sturdy, compact, and clearly crafted with intentionality.

If you’re like me, there’s something special about working with a product that combines professional craftsmanship with the thoughtful care of a small, artist-focused business. That kind of authenticity is something I truly appreciate and trust.

Still from my Daybreak easel review video showing me working with the Daybreak Easel alongside other urban sketchers at the Cincinnati Museum Center as part of the Ohio Regional Urban Sketchers Summit. Read on for link to the video

Field Test - Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH

A beautifully crafted easel, tested by a Cincinnati artist, deserves a subject that reflects the same local pride and timeless design. So I packed up the easel, grabbed my gouache paints, and headed to Cincinnati’s Union Terminal. I coordinated this field test with an event during the 2025 Ohio Regional Urban Sketchers Summit happening that day (August 8th, 2025). I’ve visited the museum many times throughout my life, but this was my first time painting it, which was a real treat. Union Terminal opened in 1933, and at the time, the local and national press called it a “Temple to Transportation.” It remains one of the most iconic Art Deco buildings in the U.S., and as a Cincinnati local, it felt like a fitting subject to put the Daybreak Easel through its paces.

Setting it up was fast, taking only two minutes to set up the tripod, palette box, and panel holder. Just like that, I was sketching. I began with a pencil drawing to establish the composition, and then the palette box began to show its strengths. It comes with gray paper and a 0.5mm PETG insert, serving as a neutral-toned surface for color mixing. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s one I really appreciated. It reflects the level of thoughtfulness throughout the entire design.

The 3D-printed water jar holder clipped into the exact place I needed it, putting it easily within reach. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to awkwardly reach down to a bucket or jar of water on the ground to clean a brush. Not this time. The 3D-printed brush holders, which attach to the inner side panels, are another exceptional feature. They’re flexible enough to accommodate a range of brush sizes, yet rigid enough to keep everything secure. Taking brushes in and out was effortless.

One quick caution that applies to plein air painting in general: wind is always a factor. The easel and tripod combo held up well in moderate breezes, but if you’re working on a larger panel or expecting gusts, you’ll want to stabilize it. A fellow urban sketcher suggested hanging a weight (like your backpack) from the tripod’s center column hook. This is an easy and effective solution used by photographers and plein air painters alike.

I don’t often paint with gouache, but I really enjoyed the process. The ability to use water to re-activate paint on the palette and canvas panel allowed for some interesting painting techniques.

Still from the review video showing me holding my finished plein air painting of Union Terminal with the Daybreak Easel and the iconic building visible in the background

Tabletop Mode – Finishing in the Studio

After the Urban Sketchers event wrapped up, I brought the painting home to finish and tested out the Daybreak Easel in tabletop mode.

Using the optional tripod-free coupler, I attached the panel holder mast directly to the palette box, converting it into a fully functional desktop easel. This setup worked beautifully. It’s comfortable, compact, and easy to adapt to your workspace.

Overall, I love how customizable the Daybreak Easel is. Everything from the height to the angle of both your panel and palette box is adjustable. The ability to close the side panel doors and keep your paints exactly where you left them is a true luxury. It made transitioning from outdoor to indoor work completely seamless.

Final Thoughts

The Daybreak Easel isn’t trying to win beauty contests—though I’ll admit, I find its honest materials and precision-minded design to be quite beautiful. What it does do is redefine what a professional plein air easel can be: functional, accessible, and packed full of smart features at a remarkably competitive price. It’s a purpose-built, field-ready, artist-designed tool that prioritizes function and performance, and it does its job exceptionally well.

If you’re an artist who values clever, efficient design, portability, and a distraction-free workflow, this easel is well worth your attention. It’s a tool that supports your practice without getting in the way—and honestly, every artist deserves that.

You can watch my full video review of the Daybreak Easel here: Designed with the Artist in Mind | Daybreak Easel Review

Interested in purchasing the Daybreak Easel or exploring their thoughtfully designed accessories? Visit the Daybreak Easel Website.