collection: Brad Welch

the third piece in our exclusive dandy collection was made available for preorder on Cinco de Mayo, but it’s finally ready for distribution. get your limited-edition print today:

La Lucha :: Brad Welch :: dandy collection #00003 :: originally drawn in graphite and colored pencil :: 2021

In our ongoing conversation about the male figure in queer art, it’s easy to lose sight of how truly engaging the form can be. Brad Welch (real name Marc Brechwald) tends to use his well-practiced talent for realistic drawing to celebrate the beauty and athleticism of the almost-too-perfect man.

(dandy:) So you use a separate name for your erotic art, but you are open about both names. Why is that?
(Welch/Brechwald:) Well, back when i started putting my erotic drawings on the internet, I was working at a University soliciting donations from some pretty conservative donors. I didn’t want there to be any complications from the association. Brad Welch is actually an anagram of my last name. I eventually stopped working at the University, but I had already developed a following behind Brad Welch, so I still use both, depending what I’m drawing.

Understandable. So how would do you describe your style under each name?
The biggest difference is really just the subject matter. The style is pretty similar across the board. All of it is realism with high attention to detail. My work is usually quite dramatic, and everything is drawn using graphite and colored pencils. I'm a pencil guy.

You have great technique for realism. Where did you learn that?
I’m self-taught with no real formal training. I've been drawing my whole life, though. My father was an artist, so maybe some of the talent is hereditary. He didn’t really teach me, but he did provide inspiration for me as a child.

When did you start getting into drawing more erotic art?
I started out drawing superheroes, believe it or not. I was a big comic book and sci-fi geek as a child, and I would create my own superheroes with full back-stories, alter-egos, and superpowers. Of course I designed their costumes as well, both male and female. As I got older, the costumes tended to get more and more revealing. My natural tendency was to highlight the physiques, particularly of the men. I think that was the dawn of my interest in erotic art. I love a muscular hero in skin tight spandex, right?

Oh definitely. I was big into comic art as a kid because of that. What would you say is your favorite part of a man? What do you most love to draw?
Well, I really love a man with beautiful eyes. Eyes you can lose yourself in. I’m a big fan of toned legs, and from a purely erotic perspective, I am of course very attracted to asses. High and tight. Which I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who follows me on Instagram.

So besides drawing beautiful men, what else brings you joy in life?
For pure relaxation, I love hanging out by the pool with a beer in hand. I’m a really a big fan of experiencing new places and new cultures. I think I've been to about 30 countries now, but my bucket list still feels like it's really long.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color in the world is a beautiful, saturated aqua marine- like the color of the ocean next to a Caribbean beach. Living in Florida, I have a tendency to use it a lot in our decorating. I can't get enough of it.

What was the inspiration for this piece you made for the dandy collection?
The timing was a big part of it. I knew it was going to be done around Cinco de Mayo, which is a day I really enjoy celebrating every year. There are so many aspects of Mexican culture that I am drawn to, like Dia de lis Muertos- and also I find the Lucha libre wrestling culture fascinating. When you think about it, they're a lot like superheroes with their masks, spandex tights, and boots. Some of them even wear capes. So I guess we’ve come full circle back to my love for superheroes again.

So is this guy's wrestling character meant to be like a superhero then?
I think so. He is definitely gay- or bi. His name, La Lucha, is obviously a reference to the sport. It means "the fight" or "the struggle,” so I think with him being out and proud in a macho sport, he is kind of like a superhero, fighting the good fight against homophobia and discrimination- in really tiny briefs.

Always nice to see some queer representation in sports.
I'm quite fascinated by openly gay men in stereotypically hyper-masculine fields, like athletes or the military- or superheroes. I think that is reflected in a lot of the pieces that I draw as a Brad Welch. I've done a cowboy, a football player, other competitive athletes- and a bullfighter twice!

So what are you up to now? What comes next?
Well, I am certainly going to continue my exploration of homoerotic art. Maybe expand my subject matter a little, and push the boundaries further. I would like to draw more pieces depicting intimacy between two men. Nothing pornographic though, just men being affectionate with each other. I think there is something very sexy about leaving a little to the imagination. Of course, I'll also continue drawing portraits like the ones on my other Instagram account. Going back and forth between the two subjects provides me some variety, and gives me separate sets of challenges to keep me interested.

more erotic work in the uncensored dandy gallery
Brad Welch

Please show support by leaving your thoughts in the comments.
All work appears courtesy of the artist.

Portraits (Marc Brechwald) -
instagram :: @brechwald_art
website :: Brechwald.art

Homoerotic (Brad Welch) -
instagram :: @bradwelch_art
twitter :: @BradWelchArt1
website :: BradWelchArt.com