Frequently Asked Questions:

What Materials Do You Use?

I love dabbling in all different kinds of materials, but my favorites include Prismacolor premier soft core pencils, PH Martin's Concentrated Watercolors, Copic Sketch markers, and various other watercolors and gauche paints. 

My favorite paper to work on is Strathmore smooth bristol board. 

What is the best way to improve?

I know it sounds cliché, but the answer is simple: practice.  I keep a sketchbook with me wherever I go, and I do my best to draw at least once a day. When I am working, I usually draw/paint anywhere form 4 to 8 hours a day. 

Do you take commissions? 

Yes, I am normally open for both commercial and private commissions.  If you have an upcoming project, feel free to browse my commission tabs for more details. 

You can also get in touch with me using my contact form to discuss rates, scheduling and more.

When did you decide to become an artist? 

Ever since I was little, my mom ensured that I had a place to work on art in the house. This started when I was two or three years old.  In our first house, my mom set me up a little nook under the stairs. I think this very generous support of my desire to create things is what kept me interested in art as I grew up. When I was 12, I attended a few classes at a local arts center (figure drawing, basics in drawing, etc.) and this really instilled in me an even greater interest in the arts.

What Inspires you to create?

 This is a difficult question! I am certainly inspired by animals and nature, which is pretty evident from my artwork. I am constantly inspired by those around me and in my family. My Mom swam in the 1988 Olympics and my Dad is an ER doctor. My fiancé Tyler Fisher is also an artist and consistently impresses me with his level of commitment. Being surrounded by all of this commitment and passion has kept me focused and grounded.


What is it like being a freelance artist?

I love that I am constantly doing something new! I am not stuck in a rut continuously working on the same types of projects. This is why freelancing is so much fun! I never know what the next project will be. I am also fortunate enough to be at a point where people will hire me for the type of work I like to create, rather than getting asked to work on projects that don’t necessarily fit my style.

That being said, freelancing is met with its own set of challenges, and I definitely recommend doing some independent  research on the subject. 

What is one piece of advice that you would give to an aspiring artist?

 Master the basics of drawing. Young artists get so bogged down with developing a ‘style’ that they forget to learn how to draw before learning how to stylize a drawing. If artists focus on becoming well rounded and proficient in technical drawing at a young age, they will have a solid foundation for stylizing their work in the future and being able to adapt to any project that may come their way!


How can I incorporate art into my everyday life? 

I think anyone who is considering making an art a part of their lives, shouldn’t hesitate to start immediately. Art can be healing, insightful, stress relieving, challenging, and just overall enriching to a person’s life. Start by buying a pencil and sketchbook. Draw what you see, what you imagine or both! Go to local art openings, events, and museums. Subscribe to blogs or follow artists on Facebook and Instagram. There are so many little steps people can take to bring art into their everyday lives, and I encourage anyone to take those steps!

How can I become a professional artist? 

This is a question that I get asked very frequently, but does not have an easy answer.  

First and foremost, master the type of art that you want to make.  Practice, practice, and practice some more. 

If you want a longer blog post that I wrote on the subject you can read here. This is in no way comprehensive, and should not be used as a guide for commercial projects, but it does give some insight for novice artists trying to get a foot in the door. 

Can I use work work in a a school project? 

Yes! Of course! I am always open to my work being used for educational purposes.  Just be sure to properly cite your sources, and please do not recreate a work and claim it as your own.  I am perfectly fine with work being recreated for learning, but be sure it is cited as such.  

Can I use your art on a blog/website/Facebook/etc.?

Yes, but please be sure that the work is properly credited. If you are able, please try and directly repost from the original source.

  If you are reposting on Instagram, please tag the work @katy_lipscomb 

If you are reposting elsewhere, please either link back to my website, Facebook page, or a direct link to the artwork. 

Can I interview you for a school project?

I do my best to answer interview requests when they come my way, but a lot of the time the questions are very similar.  My hope in setting up this FAQ is that it will provide a place where a lot of questions can be answered. Of course, still feel free to contact me if you have a specific question that is not answered here. 

Can I trace/recreate one of your your works?

I am always a little wary of this.  You may, but only under very strict conditions:

1. You must provide credit to me and say that the image was redrawn from my works. If you post the image to social media, you must provide a link back to my work. 

2.  You may not sell or use traced or recreated work for profit.  If the image is close enough to be considered derivative (recognizable as being copied) it is not okay to use commercially. This is copyright infringement and will be pursued accordingly.

3.  You may not watermark a recreated work with your own watermarks.  This implies that the idea belongs to you, which it does not. 

4. Please do not use traced or recreated works for school projects or competitions unless the assignment is specifically to recreate another artist's work.  In this case, proper credit should be provided.  

Thank you for understanding! Please contact me if you have any questions. 

Can I roleplay with your drawings?

I usually don't mind this.  If you do, please try to provide credit.  Please be respectful of commissioned works and works that contain other people's pets or characters.  If an image is marked as a trade or commission, please refrain from roleplaying with that image.

Can I use your art as a tattoo? 

Usually the answer is yes, but please be sure that the work is not a commission for somebody else.  Works that are previously commissioned are not available to use for yourself.  I am sorry, but at this time, I am not giving away high quality files to bring to tattoo artists. If you would like a clear image, I recommend browsing my store to see if I have the image as a print. I would also love to see pictures of any completed tattoos!

If you would like your own tattoo, specifically for your use, please visit my commission page for details. 

Can I use your art for a business logo or for other commercial purposes? 

Please contact me or visit my commercial commission FAQ page for learning how to license my art for commercial use.  

Under no circumstances may preexisting works be used commercially without my consent. 

Do you have any interviews or other sources that I can reference for my school project or journal?

Internet Vibes Interview

Bored Panda

Viral Hub Interview

Do you sell your work online? 

I do! You can follow the following links to my various products: 

Prints, Originals, and other Merchandise

Canvas Prints

Pin of the Month (Patreon)


Using Format