This is a start of a new portrait project of mine.

 

I figure since most of my illustrations of women tend to lay on the more masculine side, one simple solution I had come to find are drag queens. With them, I've become more aware of emulating both masculine and feminine, without having to worry about really crossing that dividing line. 

 

I admit I'm a bit late to climb aboard the Rupaul's Drag Race bandwagon, but I thought it would be fun to illustrate last year's winner Miss Sharon Needles being the character that she is, and with such prominent features. Instead of just merely recreating an existing look, and using the wonderful invention of the hashtag search I created a new look for her, with my own illustrative twist. What initially started as a geometric head piece, turned into somewhat of a living grim reaper robe with pair of eyes and teeth. I had included the swarm of insects (an old drawing I had re-used for this purpose) which added to the idea of death, decay, corpses, and all that good stuff into which Sharon Needles is all about. 

 

Prints available on my online shop which you can find here > http://jeromyvelascoillustration.bigcartel.com/

 

Be sure to visit my website too! http://jeromyvelasco.com