Every artist’s workspace tells a story. For some, it’s a place of meticulous order; for others, creativity thrives in controlled chaos. In this interview with coloured pencil artist Hannah Lipsey, we step inside her studio to explore the practical realities behind long drawing sessions - from managing growing collections of pencils and refining lighting setups to finding comfort, taking breaks and creating a space that makes sustained creativity possible.

Inside the artist’s studio: A workspace built for long drawing sessions

What does your studio space look like on a typical working day, and how does it support your long drawing process?
Overall it probably looks relatively neat, except the huge pile of pencils “in use”
I struggle to make myself put away ones from previous drawings, especially pencils that are quite short, so they don’t sit neatly in my pots and trays. So there are the “display pencils” which are essentially spares and looks lovely in my videos…then the disaster of over 100 random pencils to the left of my drawing  board. I’ve tried to keep on top of them and make an inventory so I know when I’m running low. I find it impossible… I’ll do a pencil order and be sure I’ve got what I need. Then the day after, there will always be one I’ve run out of and have no spare of. Very annoying when the cost of delivery for one pencil, is more than the pencil itself!

I love my little studio though, I use an angled drawing board and just a little office chair, I take regular breaks, always needing a cup of tea or to walk my dog. So, so far, have never suffered with back ache.
I’m hoping to move later this year though and will hopefully have a larger space which would be ideal, as I need a packing table for my print orders. There currently isn’t enough space so I end up sitting on the floor to do this. Also I can’t wait to have more space to display all my shiny objects, most of the are wrapped and stored in boxes, so would love to have them all out!

Studio lighting for artists: Finding the right balance for drawing

Lighting is so important in your work - what kind of lighting do you use in your studio, and have you refined it over time?
I have so many lights. My preference is daylight and luckily it is light in my studio. However those English winters mean its dark a lot of the time. I use a mix of NEEWER photography lights and also lights from The Daylight Company. I need light sources from all angles to light the room, I can’t bear to have a direct light which then causes a shadow where your hand is, I find it annoying and it looks awful in videos. It’s taken a lot of messing around but currently I have it working for what I like.

 

Tea, breaks and small rituals that support creativity

Do you have any rituals or habits that help you settle into long drawing sessions in the studio?
I wouldn’t say so, as I do take lots of breaks. But I am an avid tea drinker, so always have one on the go usually with a few rich tea biscuits (they have to be McVities)!