Lisovsky was born in a family of the director of mechanical shops in Kamianske. His mother Julia von Ander was of German descent. Robert also was baptized as Evangelical Lutheran. His elementary education, Lisovsky received in a local German school.
Exhibition of his works, Lisovsky started in 1914. In 1919 he became a member of "Musegetes" literary and art association and worked on decorations to the play "Romeo and Juliet" for the "Molodyi Teatr" (Young Theatre). Among his earlier book illustrations are a poem collection cover of M.Mocharovskyi "Above the field of curse, a love is sobbing" and a draft to a poem collection cover of Pavlo Tychyna "Sunny clarinets" (last one never was realized).
Lisovskyi also had a beautiful voice and for some time studied at conservatorium of professor Olena Muravyova and sang in choir of the academic community.