Key Takeaways
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The Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook uses a guided, paint-on-the-page format with 12 themed illustrations, lay-flat spiral binding, and 120lb US-made paper suited to light washes.
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Each book costs $24 and covers only the printed pages, so watercolors and a brush are a separate purchase, putting it toward the higher end of the beginner workbook market.
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Buyers consistently call the workbook calming and beginner-friendly, though 12 illustrations run out fast and the step-by-step guidance is lighter than some expect.
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Painters wanting a full kit or blank pages instead can choose Tobio's Beginners Workbook, which bundles paints with 30 pre-sketched pages, or the Strathmore 400 Series for open, unguided painting.
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The Tobio's Beginners Workbook keeps the same follow-along approach across 30 pre-sketched pages, at a lower price and connected to a full kit, so a first-timer has the paints, brush, and palette on hand from the start.
Is the Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook Worth It?
The Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook is worth buying for beginners who want a calm, guided way to start painting without a steep learning curve. Nervous first-timers often stall before they even open a paint set, worried about wasting the page or drawing something recognizable. This workbook removes that barrier by giving each page a light sketch and clear direction, so finishing a painting feels within reach from the first try.
What often catches new buyers off guard is that the $24 price covers only the printed pages, not the paints or brushes needed to use them. That gap can turn one purchase into a scattered shopping trip, especially for someone who has never bought watercolor supplies before and doesn't know which brands or sizes to pick.
Tobio's Beginners Workbook was built to close that exact gap, at $13 (£10) for 30 pre-sketched illustrations compared to Emily Lex's 12. That's more than double the pages for less than half the price, with the same guided, paint-on-the-page approach.
Tobio's Kits: Everything You Need to Start Painting, In One Box
Complete Starter Kit | Ages 6+ | No Art Experience Needed
Tobio's portable watercolor kit puts everything in one compact box (pans, paper, and a wooden palette) so you can start painting right away, whether you're at home or on the go. No separate shopping, no guesswork. Just open the box and paint.
✓ A truly portable all-in-one kit, not just the wooden palette (unlike cheaper lookalikes)
✓ Pre-sketched Beginner Workbook with 30 guided illustrations, so no drawing required
✓ Curated supplies that work together, designed for beginners without the overwhelm
✓ Great for ages 6+ and thoughtful gift-givers who want to give something meaningful
Creativity should feel welcoming, not overwhelming.
What's in the Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook?
12 Illustrations With Step-by-Step Guidance
Each workbook contains 12 beginner-friendly illustrations across spiral-bound pages, with a finished example, a suggested color palette, and simple step-by-step instructions for each subject. You paint directly onto a lightly sketched page, so there's structure without a rigid lesson plan.
120lb Watercolor Paper
The pages are printed on 120lb paper, made in the USA. It's heavier than standard sketchbook paper and holds light watercolor washes, though at 120lb it is lighter than the 140lb weight many watercolorists treat as the benchmark for heavy wet work.
Spiral-Bound & Lay-Flat
The spiral binding lets the workbook lie flat while you paint, which removes a common frustration for beginners working on a curved or springy page. Pages that stay open also make it easier to work across a full spread without holding the book down.
Available Themes
The lineup spans seasonal and evergreen themes, which is part of what makes the workbooks popular as gifts. Confirmed themes include:
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Garden
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Winter
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Woodland
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Animals
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Birds
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Seaside
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Baking
The seasonal range makes these gift-friendly for beginners, since a themed workbook is an accessible, low-cost present for someone starting out.
The spiral binding and painted swatch borders are signatures of the Emily Lex format. (Image source: Emily Lex Studio)
How Much Does the Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook Cost?
Most Emily Lex watercolor workbooks are priced at $24.00 each, with occasional titles discounted during seasonal sales. That places them at the higher end of the beginner watercolor workbook market, above many mass-market alternatives.
Emily Lex Workbook Reviews
The most consistent feedback is that the workbooks make painting feel achievable. First-time painters often say they completed pages and felt pleased with the result, which is a large part of the appeal for nervous beginners.
The calming, illustrated style comes up frequently too. Buyers describe working through a workbook as a relaxing activity, less about producing perfect art and more about slowing down and making something by hand.
A few limitations show up in the feedback. With 12 illustrations per book, some users finish quickly and want more, and there is no repeat use unless you buy another themed workbook.
Some also note that the step-by-step guidance is light, which suits true beginners but can feel too open-ended for anyone expecting detailed technique instruction. Most buyers are also caught off guard that paints and a brush are not included, since the workbook is a standalone product.
Satisfied buyers are sometimes surprised to find that paints and a brush are not included in the workbook.
Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook Alternatives
1. Tobio's Beginners Workbook
Our Tobio's Beginners Workbook was created for the exact moment most people give up on watercolor: the blank page. Priced at $13 (£10) and rated 4.7/5 by more than 700 customer reviews, it includes 30 pre-sketched illustrations that you paint directly on the page, so no drawing experience is needed. It also includes 30 blank pages, giving you space to practice new techniques, experiment with color combinations, and gradually develop your own painting style as your confidence grows.
While the workbook works well on its own, it's designed to pair with Tobio's Watercolor Kit for the smoothest beginner experience. Rather than researching compatible paints, brushes, and paper separately, you can use a complete set of tools designed to work together from your very first painting.
2. Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Journal
Some painters want total creative freedom instead of guided pages. The Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Journal is a blank book of dedicated watercolor paper with no pre-printed prompts. Its 140lb cold-press pages handle wet washes well.
This journal suits people who already have a subject in mind. You decide what goes on each page and build your own style at your own pace. That freedom tends to work better for independent painters than for nervous beginners.
Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook vs Alternatives: Comparison Table
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Workbook |
Guided or blank |
Illustrations |
Paper |
Best for |
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Tobio's Beginners Workbook |
Guided, follow-along |
30 pre-sketched pages plus 30 blank pages |
Thick watercolor paper that resists bleeding and warping |
Nervous beginners who want structure and a path into a full kit |
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Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook |
Guided, follow-along |
12 pre-sketched illustrations |
120lb, made in the USA |
Beginners who want a calm, themed guided experience |
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Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Journal |
Blank |
None; you supply your own subjects |
140lb cold-press, made in the USA |
Independent painters developing their own work |
Why Beginners Keep Coming Back to Tobio’s Kits
Pre-sketched outlines mean beginners paint straight onto a guided page, with no drawing skill needed to start.
Emily Lex workbooks give beginners a calm, follow-along way into watercolor, with lay-flat pages and clear steps that make finishing a painting feel achievable. It is a lovely product for the right person. The two things to weigh before buying are the higher price per book and the fact that the paints and brush you need to actually paint are a separate purchase.
Tobio's Beginners Workbook offers the same confidence-building approach at a lower price, and pairs directly with Tobio's Watercolor Kit so your paints, brush, and palette arrive together. Grab your Tobio's Beginners Workbook today and paint your first page as soon as it arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the Emily Lex workbook come with paint?
No, the Emily Lex Watercolor Workbook does not include paint. It is sold as a standalone product, so you supply your own watercolors and brush separately. The same applies to Tobio's Beginners Workbook, as it does not include paints on its own. It's designed to pair with Tobio's Watercolor Kit, which includes the paints, brush, palette, and other essentials needed to complete each page.
What age is the Emily Lex watercolor workbook suitable for?
Emily Lex markets the workbooks as suitable for artists of all ages, and the illustrated themes tend to appeal most to adults and teens. Younger children may enjoy them too, though adult supervision is always sensible when kids are using watercolors. For very young beginners, a simpler kit designed specifically for children may be a better match.
Can the pages be removed from the Emily Lex workbook?
Because the workbook is spiral-bound and lies flat, individual pages can be removed. Emily Lex describes the lay-flat pages as easy to tear out, so you can pull a finished page from the spiral to frame or display it.
Does Tobio's offer seasonal watercolor workbooks?
Yes, our workbook range rotates through seasonal and occasion-based titles across the year, including spring, autumn, winter, Valentine's, Easter, and Mother's Day editions. Each one keeps the same follow-along, pre-sketched format as our Beginners Workbook, so the experience stays consistent whichever theme you choose.
What is the best watercolor workbook for beginners?
The best beginner workbook is one that lowers the barrier to starting, gives just enough guidance, and uses paper that holds up to wet paint. The Tobio's Beginners Workbook does this with 30 pre-sketched, follow-along pages and thick watercolor paper, and it pairs with Tobio's Watercolor Kit so you can grab paints and a brush in the same order instead of sourcing them separately. For a first-timer who wants an affordable, low-pressure way in, that combination is hard to beat.
*Disclaimer: Tobio's Kits watercolor supplies are designed for ages 6 and above. As with all art materials, paints are not food-safe and should be kept away from the mouth. Best suited for beginner to intermediate painters. Visit Tobio's Kits to explore our full range of art kits and find the right set for you.