ALL-STARS: Episode 5

Okay, sorry, you've got to forgive me, but I'm still in a lovey-dovey daze from this episode. Seriously, it was just too much. Comics, drama, costumes--what else could a boy want? Though honestly, the episode's beginning was a little rough--playing F-I-S-H on the basketball court? Ugh, seriously, drudging up all sorts of childhood trauma for this nelly-boy artist. For an episode based entirely around comic books, focusing on basketball for the mini-challenge felt pretty random. Why not have a fun comic challenge to start things off? Like, maybe have a comic book artist show up who is also totally into drag queens and drawing them and he'd just hang out with the girls and feel special and loved and he'd be on TV finally, FINALLY on the Drag Race, andhe'ddrawthemall and itwouldbesomagical andthen......

Whoops, sorry. Totally should have been on this episode. Just saying. And why didn't we get a few shots (or ten) of the Pit Crew shooting some hoops? Come on, Drag Race producers! GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

Shad

In any case, the comic theme was lots of fun. (I should point out that my buddy Justin Hall wrote a whole graphic novel starring a drag superheroine, Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, and it's great!) It was also great to see the queens puzzle through their various origin stories, despite their difficulties with the challenge. Seriously, girls, you ever need help writing up some comic stories? I'm your man. Call me. Please.

Favorite line of that segment? Shannel: "He's the Disney bitch. And... I'm just an evil c*nt."

Favorite observation of that segment? Raven's mom is a fox! Must run in the family...

ANYWAY! I loved all the runway looks. The queens are sickening, and it's great to see them having fun with their giant-sized superhero personas. And Ru was looking her absolute best--I nearly drew her, but I already had four outfits to illustrate, so we'll just have to make do without. Also, it was a thrill to see Wendy and Elvira get so into the judging process. Right?

Rujubee-archenemies

The lip sync between Raven and Jujubee was, of course, intense and wonderful. Some folks seem to think that the queens essentially broke down on stage and failed to perform. But the way I saw it, both of them, wracked with emotion, performed the song the only way they could: as a wrenching tribute to each other.

Chad brings up the Hunger Games a lot, and Rujubee essentially pulled off Katniss' trick at the end of the first book--manipulating the judges to let them both live.

And for that, I'm grateful.

As Chad said in Untucked: "Each of you bitches is on point."

--Prints of this week's queens are available right here in my online store!

ALL-STARS: Episode 4

Okay, I'll say it: I liked Team Yarlexis. They kicked ass at the cheer-reading challenge, sported colorful, fun outfits for the "girl group" performance, and worked best as a team among all the All Stars. But, yes, they were highly polarizing among viewers, and the whole "she-mergency" debacle totally derailed things. In any case, one last portrait of Alexis and Yara, because I love them, no matter what you say.

Yarlexis

Also, I was privileged to join in on a Drag Race discussion at SLATE withBryan Lowder, soclick here for some especially catty commentary on this week's show.

I thought the overall "girl-group" challenge was pretty great, and although I prefer the focus to remain on the queens, their "celebrity" guests did allow for some good drama, as well as an outsider's perspective on our All-Stars. (Obviously, the candor with which Chad and Shannel discussed their tumultuous relationship was particularly moving.)

It was fabulous to see the queens perform for live audiences, because these girls know how to work a crowd! I thought all the teams did well--the editing made it hard to really evaluate each queen's performance. But for me, the standout was Jujubee, who does, indeed, "give good mouth."

Jujubee

 As we saw last week, this competition is brutal and unforgiving (still can't believe Latrice and Manila are gone!) and this episode's lip sync was especially rough--we've been dying to see someone push the "she-mergency" button all season, but its debut was a dud. Ah, well! At least we got to see a whole lotta Raven!

Raven

As always, I have a million prints of my Drag Race work available here! You can also buy print collections of the third and fourth seasons of RPDR right here!

ALL-STARS: Episode 3

Well! That was an episode.

Did the queens deserve better than a challenge that left them pleading with passersby on the street? Yes, of course.

But it was interesting to see which queens had that mysterious ability to charm strangers--a skill I certainly don't have.  My favorite was Chad--how fun was it to see her dancing on the street, trying to lure people in?

I really dug the girls' runway looks this week. Chad looked like a punky old GI Joe villain, right? In the best kind of way.

Raven

 And I was SO glad to finally see Raven's full geisha outfit after getting glimpses of it from the show's teasers.

SO. FIERCE.

Alexis

I think both teams Rujubee and Shad have been really good at matching their outfits for effect. However, I think the only team that's really been working to mix things up and become better than the sum of its parts is Yarlexis. It was obvious with the show's first photo challenge ("Opposites Attract") that they were swapping styles and accessories--or in that case, switching identities.

We saw that culminate with this week's runway looks, with Yara prodding Alexis into edgier territory--to glorious effect! And I think Alexis' matching outfit helps give some grounding and context to Yara's even more outrageous wardrobe.

So, despite my utter astonishment that Latrice and Manila were kicked off the show, I wanted to give Yarlexis some love!

Yara

I fully expected Latrila to make it to the final episode, especially after Latrice's luminous lip sync last week. But they're both superstars, and they'll be fine. In fact, they've already come out with a collaborative music video this week: The Chop! (Seriously, check it out--they sport some sickening looks!)

And also check out my store, where you can find prints of my Drag Race work--now featuring both Raven and Jujubee!

ALL-STARS: Episode 2

Okay, folks, I've got some new All-Stars art to share, and I want to do this fast. Honestly, this episode's mini-game tickled me endlessly--how fun was it to watch the teams play InDaButtRu? Besides Latrice and Manila, everyone seemed to know each other on a shockingly intimate level, leading to oodles of enjoyment. I LOVE how well Jujubee and Raven know each other. And that Raven doesn't wear underwear. Also, that Yara prefers panties.

My life is better because of that.

Was the subsequent sketch comedy challenge kind of painful and awkward? Eh, sure. I was delighted to see Yara shine in her role--both she and Tammie have really benefited from having the spotlight once again. And I was surprised at how great a Madonna Manila proved to be.

In any case, the runway looks were lovely and light and campy and wonderful.

I KNEW that my biggest problem this season would be picking just a few queens to draw each week, even though I seriously love them all.

Manila

Manila has proven to be even more polished and sickening than in Season 3, though she also seems more emotive and likeable. She may be the queen to beat this time around! I loved her sunny 60's look! Rock those blond wigs, girl!

I thought Nina and Tammie looked really great this week, too, and I came veeeery close to drawing Nina's albino glamour realness. But instead, I had to capture the captivating likeness of Ms. Tammie Brown--love her or hate her, she's got something going on!

Plus, I mean, check out those eyebrows.

Tammie

(I've hidden two goofy little animations in this week's work--can you spot 'em all?)

I do have to wonder about the tactics these queens have been taking with their lip sync performances. Last week, I was astonished that Pandora let Mimi perform for the both of them, as I was this week with Team Brown Flowers.

Tammie did pretty well, really. But, I mean, she was up against Latrice. LATRICE ROYALE, hunty!

Ain't no one who can throw down like Latrice. And the way she leapt across the stage!

Girl, she rocked my world. And she also inspired what may be my favorite Drag Race portrait ever.

Latrice_Show_Business

(And just FYI: My prints of Manila, Latrice, and all the other fiercest queens are available to buy right here. Just sayin!)

ALL-STARS: Episode 1

Hey girls! You miss me? Yes, I'm back to illustrate the ALL-STARS, and it's gonna be SICKENING. I would have loved to pose these new pieces sooner after the first episode aired, but I was a little busy finishing up work on a fabulous new iPhone game calledDRAGOPOLIS. Sorry 'bout it! I also did an official All Stars comic for Logo, so this boy has been busy!

Anyhoo! On to the main attraction: the ALL-STARS! Was anyone as thrilled as I was to see these girls gathered together? They were all sporting luscious-lady-looks, but I was dying to draw Manila in her smokin' outfit. (Seriously, best headpiece in Drag Race herstory!)

Manila

For me, a lot of the fun was seeing what dynamics emerged between all these fan-favorites, guessing at the crazy, interweaving histories they all had. And having the girls pick teams certainly revealed some interesting tidbits: Who expected Tammie and Nina to pick each other in the first round? Alexis wanted Shannel as her top choice? Latrice wanted Nina? Sheer insanity!

But still, compelling TV, amirite? Pandora's pairing with Mimi was rough, providing ample tension and drama for everyone. I felt bad for Pandora, who saw her hopes for the competition dashed, but I also felt a lot of sympathy for Mimi, who was earnestly trying to make the best of things.

Yara

(For anyone who wants more Boxx in their life, check out DRAGOPOLIS, in which Pandora Boxx wields a giant sword to take out her fiendish drag opponents. Seriously. COMING SOON! Also starring in Dragopolis? YARA SOFIA!)

The first episode's main "challenge" was a pair of photoshoots, but it ultimately felt like an afterthought--clearly, the focus was on the girls and their drama, as it should have been. But unfortunately, that deflated some of the stakes during the runway evaluations--it seemed pretty arbitrary which teams were in the top or bottom, but maybe that's just me. I'm sure, however, that we can all agree that the queens were SERVING IT on the runway, especially Team Ruji!

Raven_and_Juju

Ugh! GAGGING!

Honestly, I was hoping Pandora and Mimi would prove to be a scrappy underdog team who would prove everyone wrong about their chances. Sadly, Mimi was matched against Chad Michaels. And hunty, if you're lip synching for your life against Chad, you're gonna end up dead.

Chad

Be sure to check out my Print Shop to see which of these and other Drag Race images I offer as 11" x 14" art prints!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Reunited

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Okay, so, this was fun, right? The whole "drawing drag queens for months on end" thing?

Yeah, it's been pretty cool.

Also, the reunion thing was nice--I dug seeing Ru perform in a live setting. She had a bit more verve and sparkle than usual, and it was delightful to watch her play off the audience.

And it was rewarding to see Phi Phi called out for her shenanigans, without any redemptive closure like we've seen in the past (remember how gracious Tyra was in her reunion episode?)

[singlepic id=166 w=350 h=500 float=right]Willam looked real good this week, though I don't think she got kicked off just for conjugal visits with the hubby. What do you think?

Oh, and yeah, Latrice is just the best.

And so! Sharon won! I love you, Sharon, though couldn't you have shared that crown with Chad? Because he was looking as luminous as ever.

To the right, you'll see a glimpse of Sharon on the cover of 40 Queens, a forthcoming collection of my 40 best pieces of Drag Race art from the fourth season! It's now available to preorder for $6, or combine it with my collection from the third season, 30 Queens, for just $10!

And below, check out the full portrait of the reigning champion: the spooky! the beautiful! SHARON NEEDLES!

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As ever, my prints of Sharon, Chad, and Latrice are available at my online print shop for just $5!

It's seriously been such a delight to illustrate the Drag Race for another season! Thanks for sharing in the weekly delights of each episode, and thanks for your support! You're such fierce queens, all of you!

Rupaul's Drag Race, Season 4: Finale

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Wow, so this was an intense episode. Seriously, I teared up a few times. But I'm also exhausted and these queens just need to be seen. [singlepic id=164 w=435 h=550 float=center]

Look! I drew Phi Phi! I thought she did well in the lip sync--could she win? Could she??

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Chad was pretty amazing, as well. And a good name, too.

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And yeah, this picture pretty much sums up how I feel this late at night, after working the day job and drawing some queens.

But it's not quite over, yet, folks! I might have to draw the winner next week!

Until then, check out which Drag Race prints I've got for sale!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Ru's Recap Week

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

[singlepic id=158 w=350 h=550 float=right]Wow, just one more week to go, and we'll have a WINNER! Who could choose  between these three queens, amirite?

In honor of this week's recap, I wanted to revisit some outfits from earlier in the season that I missed before.

Lots of Drag Race fans suggested some of the queens' apocalyptic looks, and I love me some sci-fi realness, so I was happy to oblige. Here's Chad Michaels behind his heavenly veil:

And then there is, of course, Sharon's unforgettably winning look from that first episode...

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All season, I've had fans clamoring for more pieces of Willam (who wouldn't want a piece of Willam?), and I knew that this lacy little number would be a pleasure to draw.

Besides Willam, I've also gotten a lot of requests for more portraits of Phi Phi. And I'll admit that watching this week's clip show reminded me how many truly lovely looks Phi Phi has brought down the runway.

But did I draw any of those?

No, of course not!

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(But seriously, Phi Phi, you're gorgeous!)

As always, my prints of Chad Michaels, Sharon Needles, and Latrice Royale are available for sale right here!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 11

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Man, this was an episode, people. Lots of good stuff--I was especially charmed by the puppetry mini-challenge. Chad Michaels stole the show, remarking to his little puppet Phi Phi: "America's just going to love you." Last week, we saw the Pit Crew bring in piles of teddy bears, and this time they arrive with adorable dogs? I'm not typically a canine person, but with that kind of introduction, how could I resist? Yeesh.

Like so many of the challenges this season, I was skeptical of this episode's dog theme, but it proved to be a lot of fun. Of course Phi Phi was going to get the biggest, frumpiest dog, and of course she was going to bitch about it. And although I'm rarely impressed by Phi Phi's runway apparel, I do think she made the best of her bloodhound motif.

The challenges involving multiple costumes are always fun--I thought Chad Michaels looked more stunning than ever in his first two outfits. And Sharon continues to show her endless variety and humor. And fuck yeah, her poodle costume was kickass.

[singlepic id=153 w=350 h=550 float=left] But boy, her drama with Phi Phi really took over the rest of the episode. During Untucked, Rupaul repeatedly tried to interrupt their shouting match, but she eventually gave up. (And poor Dita Von Teese!)

Do I think Phi Phi is a terrible person? No. But within the crazy pressure cooker of this competition, she has certainly proven to be a stubborn, combative, short-sighted contestant. She seems to have this highly defensive attitude where she'll relentlessly attack others whenever she feels threatened, but she never dares to question her own assumptions and actions. Arguing with that kind of person is infuriating, since they're so puffed up with their own self-righteousness that there's just no reasoning with them.

Doesn't she realize that her rabid, frenzied outbursts would make her the clear "villain" of the season? I guess Phi Phi has some fans, so good for her. And it's gotten her into the final three.

Honestly, I was rooting for her at the beginning--I think she's cute as hell, and maybe outside of the show she's a much cooler person.

[singlepic id=151 w=320 h=550 float=right]During Untucked, Chad really blew me out of the water with his graciousness and candor toward Phi Phi and Sharon, trying to settle both of them down with such classics as, "Edit yourself, bitch."

Latrice knocked me out, too, by trying to mend fences with the girls even as she grappled with the possibility of being sent home.

Goddamn, do I love that girl.

I adore both Latrice and Chad, so it was brutal watching them face off against each other, but I thought they both did really well. And honestly, up to the last second, I really thought that Ru would keep them both in the game. I thought, "Surely she can come up with some twist to keep these two fierce bitches on the damn show!"

It was with a very heavy heart that I watched Latrice leave the Drag Race, but she left at the top of her game, and with a whole lot of love from a whole lot of new fans.

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Don't forget to click on the images to see larger versions, and check out the rest of this season's Drag Race art! This week's illustrations are already available as prints right here!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 10

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Okay, so, despite how fun it was seeing the "final four" stage their mock protest, I was delighted to see Ms. Kenya Michaels again. As soon as she shimmied into the workroom, things got a liiiiittle bit more exciting, right?

As Kenya put it, "I'm back in the bell-ding!"

Yeah, I know--you love it.

I was curious how Kenya's return would shake things up in the workroom, but there was surprisingly little time spent on that--but, like, what about the queens' responses to Kenya's letter in Untucked? And, and, what devious schemes will Phi Phi and Kenya concoct to stir up some shit?

Cool it, girls, we've gotta dress some teddy bears.

This week's mini-challenge was mostly unremarkable, except for the sight of gorgeous Pit Crew member Shawn Morales carrying in a boatload of teddy bears. That I will remark upon. Or rather, draw:

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I know. Okay. So many distractions. Geez. (Pull it together, Chad!)

The episode's D.I.L.F. challenge was pretty great, despite/because of the innumerable and outrageous awkward interactions between Queens and Dads.

It was immediately obvious that Kenya picked the wrong stud--clearly the cutest one, and also the one who most clearly just wanted to go hide in a corner. Chad's D.I.L.F was sweet and involved, which was especially poignant, because the guy looked like someone I'd avoid in a gas station while driving home to rural Wisconsin.

[singlepic id=148 w=350 h=500 float=left] I guess Chad just brings out the best in people--his heartfelt defense of the right to marry his boyfriend nearly got me choked up, and it was encouraging to see such honest dialogue between the contestants.

And it was also pretty great to see Chad stand up for himself so fiercely when Sharon's partner Mike got in her face. Mike is a bizarre breed of man: impenetrable and inscrutable, seemingly stoic and stern. But then constantly cracking jokes, and weirding out even Sharon Needles, the Queen of Freaks! All this is to say that, coming from a family of stone-faced Midwestern men, I can understand where Mike was coming from throughout the episode, though I'm glad he apologized and tried to explain his attitude.

Straight guys be crazy, right?

[singlepic id=150 w=375 h=550 float=right]Anyway, it was fun seeing the queens come up with their matching outfits--I especially loved Sharon and "Robin's" eyepatches and monochrome palette. And yes, Phi Phi totally deserved the win--she and her partner brought a great, fun energy, a playful sense of style, and her genuinely moving moment onstage sealed the deal.

But man, I felt bad for Latrice, stuck doing a second consecutive lip sync! But come on, as soon as the song started, it was clear that this was the best thing that could have happened for her--Aretha Franklin? Really? Bring it.

Latrice served up another intense, heartfelt performance, and it was glorious.

As always, be sure to check out my print shop where I'm selling all my portraits of Sharon, Chad, and Latrice! And see the rest of my Drag Race work right here!

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Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 9

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Okay, the political spin of this episode was ridiculous, but damn it was fun seeing Chad Michaels whip out her pink poodle up-do. Not to mention the 'tude to go with it! [singlepic id=143 w=350 h=550 float=right]

Even though this was another fun, outrageous episode, it suffered something of an identity crisis: were the queens expected to make cogent political arguments, or were they supposed to make us laugh? In the workroom, the contestants seemed evenly divided in their approach as Ru and Dan Savage went around to check in. To confuse matters even further, Savage took a particularly serious angle on the whole thing.

All of this led to a rather messy main challenge as the queens clashed with each other--moreso in their respective tones than their rhetoric. What were the overly serious Latrice and Dida supposed to make of Phi Phi's manic, politically incorrect maven?

I think, given Dan Savage's involvement in the episode, the show's producers expected the queens to walk the fine line of political satire, making salient political points while still maintaining a sense of irony and self-awareness. Sharon came closest to that, with her sober delivery of some real zingers.

Chad Michaels was riotously funny as the "Lady Pimp," though I think his act was a bit far too removed from anything related to politics to earn him the win. And weirdly enough, Dan Savage loved Chad's performance. (I was actually hoping to do a portrait of Savage, given that he is awesome and kind of studly. Listen to his podcast Savage Love, read his books, and swoon. Sadly, my attempt at capturing his likeness was not swoon-worthy.)

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I was glad that this week's runway had an actual theme behind it, even if nearly all the queens disregarded it. I didn't buy Sharon's line about her look depicting the drag Commander-in-Chief "of the future," but she certainly looked fabulous. It was also great to hear the heartfelt recollections of her high school years and seeing how that's shaped her.

Some food for thought: Although Sharon is clearly one of this season's front-runners (I'd be thrilled if she, Chad, or Latrice wins), the Absolut PR guy clearly doesn't dig her shock schtick. And given that a big part of the winner's responsibility is to headline Absolut's Drag Race tour, might that factor into Ru's final decision of this year's top queen? I hope not, but still... something to chew on.

Or slurp down.

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Chad Michaels looked stuuuuunnnning in his retro outfit. Seriously, I was just... speechless. Despite the classic feel to it, the look felt fresh and immaculate.

No, my simple little portrait couldn't capture her elegance, but it was fun drawing such a long, full, shimmering skirt!

It was rough seeing Latrice in the bottom two, but haven't we all been looking forward to seeing her strut her stuff? And lordy, the song selection was tailored to her--a gorgeous, soulful Gladys Knight tune? Yes, please.

I thought Dida did a great job. But, I mean, Latrice just dominated, because that's what she does.

Damn.

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Now, who do you think Michelle and Santino will bring back to the show? Last season, I was genuinely surprised that they brought back Carmen Carrera, who had proven such an underwhelming performer. Will they choose among the prettiest queens once again? Might we see more Kenya Michaels? Is it just a cheap ploy to extend the season and add to the drama? I don't care, because I love it.

As always, you can find my other Drag Race work here, and you can see what prints I have available right here!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 8

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Well, gee, this was certainly an episode, wasn't it? So, obviously, if you haven't seen it yet, there are spoilers below. If you just want to see the pretty art, click here.

The polygraph tests were pretty hilarious, and it was particularly delightful to see how much fun Rupaul was having with the interrogations. But we didn't learn anything especially revealing. And there wasn't actually a challenge aspect to it, nor did it really determine the teams for the main challenge. Still, good TV.

Chad and Dida were a fun pair, though they didn't have as much to work with as the other teams. I thought their rendition had the most energy and personality, but the least polish.

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I loved Willam and Latrice's act--their slapstick routine was a delight! And Latrice has never looked better--girl's gotta show off her swerves n' curves more often! Am I going to do an animation of Willam puking afterward? No, of course not. That would be gross and tasteless. I only depict puking drag queens with the utmost style and restraint:

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It was a shame that Phi Phi and Sharon got too caught up in the singing (oh, the singing!) and failed to deliver much chemistry. When they were forced to lip sync against each other, I was veeeeeery worried. Sharon delivered a really strong performance, channeling a fun, off-kilter energy into her act. Whereas Phi Phi slung off her shoes and started frantically showing off her dance skills. How has that worked for all the other contestants this season? Oh, wait, they're all gone.

What do I make of Willam's surprising removal? I admit, I frantically searched online for more answers than the episode provided. Speculation has run rampant, especially given all the tantalizing clues scattered throughout. I do have to say that Willam's abrupt dismissal wasn't a very emotionally satisfying conclusion to the episode, although I'm happy that Phi Phi and Sharon will be sticking around. Here's my guess about what Willam did: I doubt that it's  anything terribly juicy or scandalous--a big revelation or confrontation would have been a magnificent way to end the episode. Rather, I suspect that the producers know that the reality of the situation is a little underwhelming, so they're keeping it mysterious to keep viewers tantalized.

For instance, did you notice that Rupaul didn't seem upset or betrayed by Willam's actions? Ru praised Willam as a gorgeous, talented queen, but essentially said, "You've put us in a situation where we have to kick you out, because you broke the contract." And Willam didn't deny the accusation or justify her actions, she just sort of... left.

Still, despite the frustrating lack of closure, it was damn compelling television! And I'm just happy to keep drawing the delightful, demonic Sharon Needles:

Sharon as Satan

Be sure to check out my print shop for this week's new Drag Race portraits, and see the rest of my art from Season 4!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 7

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

So, this episode didn't have any balls-out, heart-wrenching emotional highpoints, but it was fun and buoyant and a total delight. The theme of the week? READING and WRITING, honeys.

The mini-challenge teaches that reading is fundamental, a phrase and practice made famous in the unforgettable documentary Paris is Burning. Yes, it's an amazing old film about drag queens, and yes, it is legitimately known as one of the greatest documentary films ever made. Seriously, I can't stress this enough: If you like ANYTHING about Rupaul's Drag Race, you must go get Paris is Burning from Netflix, your library, the decaying husk of Blockbuster--whatever. Here is just a taste.

The actual Reading mini-challenge this week is entertaining, but not terribly impressive, compared to past seasons. Of course, Latrice and Chad are the funniest. And Phi Phi's venomous jabs are just awkward.

K, now on to WRITING. When I saw the previews for this episode, I was skeptical. "A magazine challenge? They're reeeeeally desperate for ideas, aren't they?" But I was wrong--seeing the smart queens get a chance to shine was an utter delight.

Sharon's photoshoot for her magazine Kitty Cat? IT. WAS. CLASSIC.

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She walks in, notices the outrageously studly photographer, and breaks the ice with “Have you done porn? You should really consider it.” And then she climbs a kitty stand. Seriously. When the producers shoo her off the teetering structure, her response was droll and fabulous: “You don’t know anything about fashion.”

And just to properly enrich all of your minds, I must point out that Sharon's kooky "crazy cat lady" costume was referencing another classic documentary, the amazing Grey Gardens. It's less gay, but just as wild. Take a look. The film depicts an eccentric mother and daughter, Big Edie and Little Edie, who hide away in a dilapidated old mansion, fighting, and singing, and dancing. (I can't help but mention that I named my own crazy, reclusive cat Edie after them.)

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Chad Michaels rocked an edgy, zebra-print outfit for his photoshoot. That queen can seriously handle her animal prints, right? And you know I can't resist drawing a pretty pattern.

Willam's photoshoot was pretty fabulous, too. This week, she was really rubbing me the right way--maybe I've just gotten used to her humor, but I found myself enjoying her barbs more often than not. Seriously, I thought she might win this one!

But Phi Phi deserved it--after weeks of complaints, she finally lightened up her makeup, and she had never looked better! And I appreciated her sordid, gay approach to a travel magazine.

Jiggly's photoshoot was just priceless. That jumping rope segment was just... we're talking comedy gold, people.

Once again, I totally missed the week's runway theme, not that it ever seems to matter. But there were some really good looks, and I was compelled to finally do a proper portrait of Willam:

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I thought Latrice looked fabulous, but I understood some of the judge's criticisms. Still, I wanted to draw the lovely sheen of her dress, and as I kept pushing the colors, my portrait of her made her look like The Queen Who Was On Fire. But it suits her, since she was a Goddess of the Sea last week.

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Chad Michael's looked amazing, as always. My only regret is that I didn't figure out a way to frame this to fit in her fabulous boots.

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And of course, Sharon:

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I admit, I went a little crazy with this one. But I told you--I'm a sucker for pretty patterns!

All in all, a great episode. Seriously, I wore myself out trying to capture all these fierce bitches.

Remember to check out my new PRINT SHOP, where I'm selling all my prints of Sharon, Chad, and Latrice! (as well as my best illustrations from last season!)

And my last few notes:

If you don't watch Untucked, you're really missing out. This week, we got Sharon's explanation for Willam's five o'clock shadow--apparently, it results from Willam's reluctance to use the same heavy pancake makeup the other queens do.

Also, Sharon cops to farting on the runway, which is most notable for Rupaul's flustered non-reaction.

Finally, Logo has included some deleted scenes from the Dragazine challenge, and Chad Michaels' one is DIVINE! 

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 6

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Wait, seriously? I can't believe we've already gotten to the sixth episode! Sheesh! But it was quite an episode, right? It's interesting--we had a Latrice episode, then a Chad episode, and now Willam. And he deserves it, right? I can't think of any other Drag Race contestant who's proven so enigmatic, eliciting such confusion and bafflement. (We've got a lot of queens going by male names this season, so I can't help but refer to them as male, forgive me)

The wet T shirt contest was an interesting challenge, getting the queens to put it all out there. Despite some of the queen's reticence (most notably Sharon's), the queens pulled it off with aplomb. (Well, except for Phi Phi, which was kind of satisfying) I couldn't help but observe that the giant breastplates provided looked outrageous on all the queens, until we got to Latrice--given her size, they actually seemed pretty modestly proportioned to her. I only mean that in the best way, though, and the fact that she pulled all of that off with her highly absorbent padding just shows what a pro she is.

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(Click this and the other images for even bigger, more fabulous versions)

The main challenge of this episode? It seemed very odd to me, especially given how confused I was from the start: A parade float, based on a color of the rainbow flag, relating to pride, but also fashion forward? That just seemed like a jumble of elements, especially because I didn't understand who would be wearing the floats, and in what venue. (I had hoped the Pit Crew would model the floats, which was perhaps just wishful thinking) But the fact that they designated each queen's color theme by handing out colored handkerchiefs was HILAAAARIOUS! If you're not well versed in gay history, colored hankies pre-dated Grindr and Manhunt, but did largely the same thing--if you had a certain color dangling out of a certain pants pocket, it sent a coded message about what you were looking for to others in the know. Clearly, I'm vague on the specifics, but that's solely because I'm not single. Otherwise I'd be googling the fuck out of those color coded handkerchiefs!

Anyhow, it was lovely to see Chad, Sharon, and Willam discuss some queer history with the other queens. And Chad was certainly lovely this week, clearly embracing the oversized spirit of the challenge:

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I loved Chad's showgirl look, particularly his "cougar" stripes.

Also, how adorable was that runway backdrop of greased-up manflesh, waving back and forth in sailor outfits? Good to see the Drag Race production budget put to good use! *Sigh* okay, gotta cool off.

Willam used his float really playfully, which totally worked. And yeah, he looked fabulous. But my problem with his runway outfits is that I'd much prefer some gaudy, outrageous accessories made in someone's basement than all the designer shit he so proudly trots out. I'm just never compelled to draw him. But did he deserve to win? Yeah, probably.

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Still, Sharon was a lot of fun. Her giant snake was fierce and I knew it would be fun to draw. Oh, wait.

I thought Phi Phi and Milan used their floats really well, too. Jiggly didn't. Her giant orange merkin didn't help, either.

I was crushed to see Milan lip sync a third consecutive time, since I think she's fabulous. Her stripping down could be seen as a tired Drag Race gimmick, but given the spirit of Born This Way, I thought it was fitting. And he looked really cute, so that's how I drew him.

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I think Milan is a fabulous performer, and a gentle soul. He had a rough time on the Drag Race, but I'm glad he had the opportunity to strut his stuff! Even... three times in a row.

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 5

YES! This week's episode finally gave the spotlight to Chad Michaels, who has proven herself to be classy, compassionate, and captivating. I'd been looking for an opportunity to do a gorgeous portrait of her, and here you have it!

Sure, if  I find time this week, I'd love to make an animated gif of her different Cher looks, because they were badass, and she was fabulous in The Snatch Game. But I couldn't resist drawing her great giraffe look--both for its sleek pattern and the sentimental significance.

This week, Chad was given the chance to call her partner Adam, which was moving in itself. But apparently Adam made this outfit for her, which I think is too, too great.

The Snatch Game was, as always, a shitshow. Some of the queens delivered fantastic performances, but "those front row bitches" tried too hard and shoved the show off the rails.

Yes, of course Sharon Needles was fabulous as Michelle Visage, and if I have the time, I'll do a fun little portrait of her/them. Last season, I drew this little doodle of Michelle, herself:

Michelle

My favorite parts of Sharon's performance were the constant recollections of Michelle and Rupaul's past antics, fueled by "uppers and downers and candy corn." She injected more wit and imagination into the performance than some of the other queens, who relied on just a few catchphrases.

I was charmed to see Dida as Wendy Williams, though was disappointed that we didn't see more of her performance.

And of course, Chad deservedly won the challenge, with his speedy costume changes and ridiculous banter: "I'm a fucking Oscar winner!" "I don't know why they book me on these chickenshit gigs!"

Prior to his performance, I was a little worried that Chad Michaels revered Cher too much to deliver a compelling rendition of her--seriously, hearing him talk about Cher is like me talking about videogames. (I know, I'm a geek.)

This week's runway once again felt like an afterthought--did anyone catch what the theme was supposed to be?

In any case, there were some great outfits. Yes, I liked Milan's dapper suit, and I loved her energy on the runway. Sharon Needles, once again, had a very crazy, striking outfit, which needed to be drawn.

Sharon Needles

Sharon

It was sad to see Kenya leave the show--she definitely has an amazing spirit and energy, even if she was inconsistent in the challenges and on the runway.

One of the most baffling moments of the episode was Willam's response the judges' criticism. They voiced the concern (which I totally agree with) that he's too withdrawn into his character, failing to show any vulnerability. Later, he seems to have a mini-breakdown, perhaps showing some genuine emotion? But no, it seems to just be setting up another joke: "It sucks that everyone else is going to have to go home so I can win." So, I don't know--Willam seems to be the strangest mindfuck of the season, which could prove to be compelling, but maybe not.

In any case, I'm excited for more! Sorry that I didn't go quite as overboard with this week's art as I have for previous episodes. I had other stuff to take care of yesterday, and I wanted to take the time to make these portraits of Chad and Sharon particularly sickening.

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 4

Wow, what an episode! Despite all the fighting and the drama (which was pretty great, itself), lets all come together and dance like maniacs while Latrice Royale "takes us to church," singing "Jesus is a Biscuit." Holy. It was really Latrice's episode to shine, and she deserved it. Did everyone love her performance as Marge, the prison guard, as much as me? There were too many great  lines from the challenge, but my favorite was when Latrice told us: "I was tapping into some serious acting talent, because Marge doesn't like nuts, but Latrice does."

Large Marge

What a glorious queen, right? And no, I didn't even come close to capturing the magnificence of Latrice.

Seeing Sharon in her beaver outfit was pretty great, too--I especially loved her squeaky voice and cartoonish make-up. I was very tempted to draw her that way, but opted for her catwalk look, instead.

Sharon

This season, most of the catwalk themes seem like an afterthought--to both the producers and most of the queens. But Sharon came out full of old school sitcom energy, channeling Carol Burnett as a vampire lord.I liked a lot of the runway looks this week, and it was hard choosing just a few to draw. Ultimately, I picked the ones I thought would be the most fun to depict--predictably enough, I love big, geometric shapes, feathers, and shiny things!

Runway looks

Chad

I also loved Chad Michaels' look, but only had the time to do this quick little doodle:  Chad is such a great queen, talented performer, and gracious human being. I hope he starts getting more screen time as the season progresses!

I was very, very sad to see Madame La Queer go, but at least we were treated to a pretty amazing "lip sync for your life" that none of us will soon forget.

Seriously, Milan? Those moves were crazy. Like, I don't even... I can't...

I was delighted and astonished and a little baffled.

Perhaps Willam put it best when he described Milan's show-stopping, stage-crossing slide this way:

Milan

"He swiffered the floor with his taint."

What, and next week is The Snatch Game?

Bring it.

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 3

So, I think we can all agree that the highlight of this week's episode was the amazing lip sync performance by Dida Ritz. Right?

Otherwise, this week was rather rough--the infomercial challenge was kind of painful, as was seeing some of my favorite queens rip into each other. However, I loved most of the runway looks, even if the theme of "platinum and gold" was pretty tame. But rather than draw all my favorites, I wanted to take more time with just a few illustrations--last week, my art got a little too cartoony, so I wanted to consciously utilize a bit more of the flat, stylized aesthetic that I developed last year.

Sharon Needles

I loved Sharon Needles' sleek pompadour look, though I simplified it quite a bit for this piece. I tried to get her "popping the collar" gesture down, but it proved tricky.

The Princess

It was sad to see The Princess leave--I really love both her edgy style and sweet personality, but I guess in the Drag Race, good girls finish last?

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Episode 2

So, season four of the Drag Race has totally floored me so far. They've been packing in more and more amazing sh*t into each episode that there's barely time for all the outrageous challenges, gags, and skits. Not only that, but the queens are all pretty amazing, too! Particularly in their performances--in past seasons, although the acting challenges were typically hilarious, that was generally because half the queens delivered cringe-worthy lines and never could ad lib very well. But the vast majority of this season's queens seem to thrive on stage, or screen, or... in the wrestling ring.

But of course, the villains always have the most fun, don't they? I could't pick between my two favorite pairs of "heels," so I drew both! I LOVED Chad Michaels and Madame LaQueer as a demented master and slave, whereas the pairing of Latrice Royale's ginormity and Kenya Michaels' manic energy was unforgettable.

Latrice and Kenya

I felt bad for both The Princess and Lashauwn Beyond--as the more reserved, quiet queens, they had a hard time competing with the others, and it was sad to see Lashauwn go. As an occasionally shy artist, I can definitely sympathize with the difficulty of getting out of your own head and bringing it. Here's hoping for some more opportunities to see The Princess shine!

Looks on the Catwalk

Given the outrageous wrestling challenge, this episode's catwalk seemed almost like an afterthought, but I drew my three favorite looks. I loved the Princess'  mash-up of girly and punk, and I've really been digging Madame LaQueer's kitschy, colorful outfits. Milan's outfit was pretty simple, but I loved the old school hairstyle, monochrome dress, and her accents of bold red.

Sharon Needles

Another fascinating thing about season four: the queens seem to be astonishingly considerate and kind to each other, at least compared to past years. If you didn't watch the extra "Untucked" episode this week, you must go watch it now. Seriously, it's essential viewing for any Drag Race fan. Especially given the frantic editing of the main episodes, the amount of time you spend backstage with the queens has proven remarkably eye-opening. It was staggering to see the queens try to deal with Jiggly Caliente by helping her rather than just launching into catty tirades. And of course, the special moment with Sharon and her boyfriend was funny, sweet, and surprising. Sharon Needles has clearly emerged as one of the frontrunners and fan-favorites--deservedly so. I wanted to depict her "girly" look above, where she's blowing a kiss, like she did on the runway. No, she's not supposed to be strangling herself, even though it kind of looks like it...

Alright! Enough rambling! Thanks for reading all this and checking out my art. Please share it and keep comin' back! 'Til next week!

Rupaul's Drag Race, Season 4: Episode 1

So! The DRAG RACE has begun! After an amazing third season, Rupaul's Drag Race is off to a great start with season 4, and I'll be doing weekly portraits of my favorite queens, just like last year. Click here if you'd like to see the poster I made featuring every queen on the show!

Last season, I didn't offer a whole lot of commentary throughout the season, but this time I figured I'd be a bit more candid about my opinions, as if anyone might care.

Sharon Needles

The winner of the week! When watching the previews for this season, I had wrongly dismissed Sharon as “the goth queen,” but she also seems to be one of the funniest and most creative, with a wide range of looks. I'm excited to see lots more of her this season.

Latrice Royale

Wow, what a powerhouse! Big girls have had a rough time in past seasons of the Drag Race—the intensity of the show and its cattiness tends to prey upon the insecurity of most of the curvier queens, but as soon as Latrice Royale showed up, it was clear that she's bringing a funny, funky, fighting spirit to the show. She definitely has the attitude—I'm hoping she brought enough great catwalk looks to stick around for a long time!

Jiggly Caliente

Man, I LOVED Jiggly's first look. With the hair, the dress, and that lollipop? Geez! Yeah, she might have gone overboard with her apocalyptic look, but she brought itduring her performance.

Milan

I really, really liked Milan's first look, in the zebra-print suit. She also has a very expressive, distinctive face, which helped make this portrait my favorite of the week. I dig her energy and style, and since she seems very “Broadway,” I'm hoping she'll spontaneously start tap dancing and/or singing throughout the season.

The Princess

For some reason, I was immediately stricken with The Princess. Maybe I just have a soft spot for the edgy, androgynous queens (Lord knows I love me some Raja), but The Princess is also really cute (in and out of drag), has great, kooky style, and she seems to have a good attitude—all of which make her a strong contender.

Lashauwn Beyond

I really liked my first look at Lashauwn, with his gold armored outfit and towering, geometric hair. I think he's doing everything that I like about drag—pushing the envelope, embracing excess, etc. But he's clearly one of the youngest and least experienced queens, so we'll see whether he's able to keep up with the others...

Phi Phi O'Hara

Phi Phi is a beautiful queen (and out of drag, he's downright gorgeous) though I don't have a good sense of her style, yet. And admittedly, I don't have her likeness down, either—whereas a lot of the other queens this season are easier to caricature, I haven't quite pinned down Phi Phi. Not that I won't keep trying!

Kenya Michaels

I love Kenya's fiery attitude and smoldering looks. She's clearly a great performer and will hopefully stick around this season for a long time. When looking at Logo's site, I was surprised to see that she's just 21, but seems like a strong contender against the older, more experienced queens. Can't wait to see how it all pans out!

Madame LaQueer

I really like Madame Laqueer's kooky sense of style, despite the fact that we didn't get a ton of time with her in this episode. Both her first look and her apocalyptic one were polished and funny, so I'm looking forward to seeing what else she's got.

Dida Ritz

Dida is gorgeous and seems to have a strong personality, but I'll have to wait and see whether she has the same level of polish and style as some of the others.

Chad Michaels

What!? A drag queen named Chad? Could this season be any better? Chad Michaels is gorgeous and clearly polished, though I hope he pushes his looks to the same delirious extremes as some of the other queens. You know I'm never happy with just another pretty face!

Willam

Willam seems to be the most divisive character of the new season, and I suspect that's partly his doing, and partly the producers'. Is he the new Shangela? We'll see. Regardless, Willam makes for good tv, and for good catfights.

Alisa Summers

Alisa is beautiful and seems sweet, but each season's first episode tends to weed out the young, inexperienced queens, and Alisa suffered for it. Regardless, she kept it classy. I just wish my portrait captured her better! Ah, well...

So yeah, I know—I'm not getting particularly catty about any of the queens so far. Because there's plenty of that on the show, and because I genuinely like them all at this point, which is why I wanted to take the time to draw at least simple portraits of each. But I definitely won't be drawing all the queens for each episode. I'm hoping to take a similar tactic as last season, where I draw the queens and outfits that most inspire me, week by week.

Thanks for checking out my work, and let me know what you think!