Sara Tepes is a Virginia-based artist with a love for all things cozy, beautiful, and unapologetically feminine. A longtime digital art enthusiast, she began sharing her work on Instagram at just 15 years old and have been building a dedicated community ever since. Over the years, her artistic journey has evolved from darker, somber themes to vibrant, joyful explorations of beauty — whether found in delicate emotions, the unfamiliar, or the simple comforts of everyday life.

Beyond portraits, Sara’s work now embraces animals, landscapes, and still life, reflecting a personal journey toward balance and self-expression. With a passion for teaching, she loves sharing what she has learned along the way, helping aspiring artists navigate digital painting with confidence. Her debut book, Digital Painting Made Simple, brings that passion full circle, offering beginner-friendly insights drawn from years of self-taught experience.

When she is not creating, you’ll likely find her cooking with a lot of garlic, tending to her raised garden beds, or hanging out with her three beloved cats. Sara’s client list includes Netflix, Adobe, Wacom, the U.S. Mint, and more — proof that following your artistic curiosity can lead to incredible places.

We asked Sara about her art, creative process, and inspirations.

Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?

I’ve been passionate about drawing for as long as I can remember, but my journey with digital painting began in my preteen years. I was captivated by the digital art tutorials I discovered on DeviantArt—the polished, plush quality of digital art immediately drew me in. Eager to learn how I could paint like that, I immersed myself in educational content, including YouTube timelapses of other artists' work. I’d watch those videos repeatedly, studying the artists' techniques and being entranced by the creative process.

When I first started, I was amazed by the endless possibilities digital art offered. Traditional painting was out of reach for me at the time due to the cost of supplies, but digital art provided an accessible alternative. All I needed was a drawing tablet and free painting software. Unlike traditional mediums, digital art removed the expense of materials, allowing me to experiment freely with colors and lighting. Now, over a decade later, my love for digital painting remains as strong as ever! It’s a medium that continues to inspire and challenge me, just as it did when I first began.

What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?

I’ve come to realize that the common thread of what inspires me is beauty—beauty for its own sake, beauty in the strange and unfamiliar, and the quiet beauty found in small, subtle emotions. Over time, my art has shifted from darker, more somber themes to something much more vibrant and joyful. As I’ve progressed in my mental health journey, I’ve realized that it’s perfectly valid to explore feminine and delicate themes—and that there is nothing "less than" about them.

This shift has opened the door for me to explore beyond my usual focus on portraits. I’ve started experimenting with animals, landscapes, and still life—subjects that evoke a sense of comfort and coziness. These new explorations feel like an extension of the joy and balance I’m discovering in life and in my art.

Congratulations on your first book, Digital Painting Made Simple! Was there a part of the book that was particularly fun (or challenging) to write or illustrate?

It feels so rewarding to come full circle and create teaching material for beginner digital artists! I still remember how much I admired those early tutorials I found on DeviantArt and how eager I was to soak up any educational content about digital art. As a self-taught artist, I’ve learned through trial and error, and it’s a wonderful experience to share the tips and techniques I’ve discovered over the years—those “aha!” moments that transformed my process.

One of the biggest challenges in writing this book was remembering all the specific questions I had when I was just starting out. With many sections of the book, I focused on addressing the unique concerns beginners might face, rather than giving broad, general advice. Another challenge was translating my artistic process into written instructions. As a visual communicator, I usually rely on my art to tell the story, so crafting step-by-step explanations that could stand alone without images pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was incredibly rewarding to see the results of this hard work!

You’ve been sharing your art journey since you were 15! Looking back, what’s been the biggest lesson or surprise about growing as an artist online?

I never expected to find such an amazing community of artists and art lovers. It’s so inspiring to see others dedicating their time to creating art, and it serves as a beautiful reminder of what truly matters—connection with like-minded individuals and the celebration of creativity and beauty. This community has given me the opportunity to share my struggles and joys with other artists, most of whom I would never have met without the internet and social media. It’s incredible to be part of a space where creativity brings people together in such a meaningful way.

You’ve worked with so many amazing brands like Netflix, Wacom, Dell; what’s been your most memorable collaboration and why?

I have two favorite collaborations that stand out! One was working with Hoyoverse as a judge for their Honkai Star Rail Multiverse Vistas Art competition. As a lover of gacha games, getting to collaborate with a visually stunning game like Honkai Star Rail was a dream come true. It was an incredible honor to be recognized as an influential voice in the online art community by such a fantastic game.

The other commission I’m especially proud of was creating a portrait of Vice President Harris for the Harris-Walz campaign. It was amazing to work with a campaign that values and supports the fine arts—and surreal to paint the vice president! I’m incredibly proud of that piece and look forward to seeing what exciting commissions and collaborations come my way in the future.

Hosting an art retreat in Crete sounds like a dream! What excites you most about connecting with fellow artists face-to-face in settings like this?

The first time I hosted an art retreat, I was honestly quite nervous! As an introverted artist, I wasn’t sure what kind of people would attend a week-long retreat. But it turns out, they were a lot like me! International travel offers such a unique opportunity to create lifelong memories, and it’s so rewarding to be able to share those moments with fellow artists while forming meaningful friendships. I truly love hearing about the lives, artistic passions, and aspirations of the other travelers. Many of them come from STEM backgrounds, seeking a creative recharge and inspiration during the retreat. It’s such a joy to connect with these individuals and share in the experience together.

With such a dynamic career and a growing community of fans, how do you balance your personal time with your creative work?

Achieving a balance between my personal and work life is something I’m still working on. I often find that the two blend in ways that feel almost inseparable. When I check my phone to do something like practice Duolingo or watch YouTube, I end up reading Instagram notifications and comments, responding to them, scrolling through my work Instagram feed, and commenting on other artists’ posts. Even when I’m enjoying a game or watching a show, I want to share those experiences with my friends—many of whom I’ve connected with through social media. Sometimes, late at night, I’ll realize I want to share a new artwork or work-in-progress with my audience, and I get caught up editing the images and crafting the perfect caption for an hour.

While it’s all exciting, I do struggle with the insecurity of constantly being perceived. Reading comments late at night, especially negative ones, can really spike my anxiety. I’ve been searching for a therapist who can address the specific mental health challenges related to social media and media exposure. Unfortunately, it’s a fairly rare need, and finding the right support with an in-person therapist has been challenging. My goal for this year is to focus on finding a better work-life balance and prioritizing my mental well-being.

Have there been any surprising or memorable responses to your work?

One of the most amazing things about dedicating myself to my art is that some of the artists who inspired me from a young age now follow me and interact with my work! Lois van Baarle, who was a major influence when I first started digital art, has even endorsed Digital Painting Made Simple!

Another artist who shaped my artistic journey growing up was Brett Helquist, the illustrator for A Series of Unfortunate Events, among other books. I was completely obsessed with his illustrations, and I still keep the series right next to my desk for easy access. To my surprise, I received an endorsement from Brett Helquist for this book, which is something I never expected!

It's a bit surreal to think that the artists I once looked up to are now my peers. Even more amazing is that I’ve started receiving messages from other artists who tell me that I’m a role model for them, just like Lois and Brett were for me. There’s truly a wonderful circle of inspiration and support within the art community.

What’s next for you? Do you have any big dreams or projects you’re excited about after the book launch?

I would love to take on more contract or even full-time work with a video game developer or animation studio. The idea of collaborating with other artists on a major project, whether it's a new video game, show, or movie, is incredibly inspiring. Even though it truthfully feels like a far-off dream, I’m excited about the possibility. More realistically, I’m considering writing another book—this time focusing on traditional art techniques. Since I am equally a digital and traditional artist, it seems like the natural next step! Ultimately, any opportunity that comes my way is exciting, and I’m keeping my options open for whatever the future holds.