Painting with a Q & A

[@AudraAuclair]

Your videos are so relaxing. The studio looks amazing with the plants in it!

[@JoieFoster]

I love that you shared some of your experiences when things were a struggle-- I feel like all us creatives have so many downs that it can be easy to forget the ups and feel trapped! I'm glad you didn't give up; I love your artwork :)

[@bentooh2371]

Thank you for answering my question!!! I really value your personal views and your stories about your experiences because I really look up to you. I grew up loving Beatrix Potter and I realized I wanted to do illustrations for children's books. You give me a Beatrix Potter vibe (?? is that okay to say, I'm sorry, English isn't my first language). I love watching your illustration vlogs over and over again (together with Fran's) whenever I feel demotivated. I look forward to more!!! Have a great day, Holly-san!

[@hollyexley]

Thank you for your great question, I enjoyed answering them! Beatrix Potter is my idol! Thank you for the comparison, that makes me very happy!

[@bybun]

this long video was such a treat!

[@annikaheller3489]

It's ridiculous how excited I get when I see a new video of yours :D. Really enjoyed it, as always. I'm also a freelancer, going on a holiday for a week now and I had to pack two weeks worth of work in one week so I feel you! I hope you enjoy your Scotland trip :) Love from Hamburg, Germany!

[@megamey3421]

I'm having trouble with motivation and am at the point of almost giving up right now - think I'm definitely in the middle of my lowest point! It's encouraging to see that you've been through the same thing/feelings. Self initiated finished pieces and building my portfolio are a struggle for me, I seem to sketchbook a lot and then beat myself up about not doing any finished pieces. That, and the lack of social media presence is such a vicious circle! That banana plant looks sooo happy by the way - Yay for proud plant mums!

[@hollyexley]

I'm sorry to hear this Megan! Every single creative goes through this struggle I'm sure, and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Took me years and years to learn to be kind to myself and also to stop blaming myself when things didn't go to plan.

[@jennyannart]

Hi Holly I'm loving your vlogs and your illustrations are so bright cheery and super cute to. I'm really glad Minnie Small recommended you on one of her recent vlogs so yeah I've subscribed and look forward to watching more.

[@hpillustration7627]

The bit where you talk about set backs post-uni is so relevant to me right now, thank you so much for making this video I have a new found faith that I'll get where I'm meant to be (I'm going to check out your old blog posts now :P )

[@jennymay4720]

Thank you Holly, for this interesting vlog, and I am glad to see you are going on holiday soon. You richly deserve one after such a lot of work this year. Lovely work by the way.

[@Dylanquinn666]

I never worried about my artwork getting stolen, but it happened to me recently :/ One of my pieces was stolen by a page on facebook selling t-shirts. It ended up being their top seller, it got about 20,000 likes and thousands of shares, and as far as I'm aware they sold a ton of them. There was nothing I could do either because it was technically fan art, even though the design and drawing was completely original. They even blocked me when I messaged them. It was frustrating, but seeing all of the comments was heartbreaking. There's nothing much you can do. They find ways to remove the watermarks too. The only thing I can say is that you shouldn't let it stop you, but never upload hi-res images to social media. Keep them fairly lo-res and 72 dpi.

[@tinytofubunny]

Loved this new style of video Holly! Your vlogs are always my favourite :)

[@RedCardinalCrafts]

Can't wait to buy more of your prints!! To add to my gallery wall!

[@LicharaDream]

I'm still checking your old blog articles from time to time. I can relate to those dramatic moments you used to have back then. And they're quite well written...shed some tears reading them. Well, on the positive side, I also have a new leaf coming from my baby Orchid plant ... struggling to keep its leafs alive....the flower stem died a long time ago :( In case you'll be answering more questions in the future, would be nice to know how do you prepare your illustration scans to be sent to client vs print. What format do you save/send them and do they have to be print ready (as in CMYK)? Is the client giving you instructions about this sort of thing?

[@mailartlover]

"Don't let this people win" hahaha you're so sweet! I love your videos and your art. Thank you for the time you took to make this. And your hear done it's very worth of vlogging jejeje. Love from Chile!

[@Alice-zs3eh]

In response to the first question - perhaps make sure your images are low enough resolution / small file size when you put them online so if anyone steals them they won't be good enough quality to print from?

[@kathywellerart]

Loving your vlogs, Holly. Big congrats on your new marriage!

[@nicky1741]

Hi Holly. Thank you for your amazing videos, they are really motivating and inspiring! Do you have a video explaining your technique? I think the way in which you choose your colors and combine them is so perfect.. it is probably an impossible question but how do you choose your colors when you look at your reference? I noticed you use a lot of purple tones. Thank you again for your amazing vids. Best from Denmark 😊

[@guitarz-playerr3298]

i love your video's and your art! Most of the time i'm painting while listening to you and it's so relaxing. :) When I see that you've made a new video I know it's time to pick up my painting materials again :)

[@Emily-rb6zo]

I love this! Do you think there is still a point for illustrators/artists to start a blog in today's internet world? Do you think it will still bring in new viewers and clients?

[@sketchingnothing]

Loved this vlog, looking forward to more! X

[@lichtekooi3347]

What I love about you is your nature appreciation. Most of the vegan people I see out there is not really into plants everywhere and stuff. Maybe I'm wrong but that's what I see.

[@josiannedufour2944]

Hi Holly! I discovered your channel lately, your videos are quite inspiring and helpful! And of course, I really like your work too! I am wondering where and how you store all your watercolors? As a beginer illustrator, I like to know how other illustrators deal with the high amount of paintings they collect with years of practice. (Sorry if you already talk about it in a past video.) And sorry for my bad english skills... Have a nice day!

[@isabellemerry3937]

Where is the apron from? Its super cute!! Great video!

[@haegarhund2109]

Hi Holly, I really like your videos! Your lunch/dinners always look sooo delicious. Would you consider making a video about where to buy all the vegan food, especially the meat substitutes? Do you buy it online?

[@hollyexley]

Sometimes online, sometimes at vegan events, or just in supermarkets and health shops. Would be happy to talk more about this on my channel.

[@haegarhund2109]

holly exley Oh yes, please do that. 😀

[@littleowl1458]

All of your vlogs are the best

[@d_lillian]

New here and I must say, your voice is very calming :D Love your workspace!

[@jordgubb7139]

Hey Holly! I preffer a5! by the way, how do you transfer your sketches to watercolor paper? light table, tracing paper? :) Thanks for your awesome videos!

[@toadie2929]

I'm too going to Scotland on holiday this Thursday :) We'll be walking the West Highland Way!

[@hollyexley]

Ah hope you enjoy your trip! Here's hoping the weather is kind to us!

[@marshansiah]

I love these videos! ☺️

[@hrsNHM94]

I love your videos so much! Do you find it hard to come up with your own artwork from scratch? every time I try it never looks quite right but if I make an adaptation of an existing piece of artwork or reference photo I worry that it would still look similar.. then I get too worried to post anything. Do you have any tips for drawing of the top of your head and coming up with something completely original, because I find it so hard! :(

[@XANTHE]

Thanks so much for answering my question :D

[@babylilacforever]

Oh my gosh holly I have your lamp!

[@kirstenroe738]

Where is your apron dress from? It niceeee x

[@michaelterracina6392]

thank you dear

[@GwendolynNevarez]

I've been meaning to ask, what are the names of your house plants? And are they easy to care for? :)

[@Sophia-ly7wm]

Where did u intern when going back to London, holly??

[@hollyexley]

At two marketing companies in London, and also at the AOI (association of illustrators)

[@Gracy96-m7]

Hi Holly, Where did you get this wodden table for drawing?

[@VishalNamani]

are you daneyris?

[@nathalieprins9947]

a pircing oh NO,NO