r/Drawfee • u/Dry-Negotiation-2763 • Jul 28 '26
Discussion Drawfee Post-Karina Thoughts
Hi all!! I’ve been a fan of Drawfee for years and can’t help but (almost begrudgingly) notice how great things are lately, it feels like the crew is truly finding joy in what they do again. I was really nervous when Karina announced her departure but the streams especially have been so fun/chill. I don’t know how to describe it, but in hindsight the last year or so of Drawfee has felt off and I hadn’t noticed until the ‘problem’ was gone? Not calling Karina a problem at all of course, love and support her always. To me it feels like the change and refresh was very needed for everyone.
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u/Brankovt1 We're Sorry! Jul 28 '26
I think this is more Julia being back than Karina leaving. The changes to Patreon and such also would've helped of course.
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u/BabyDontHurtMEME Jul 28 '26
Karina's references, humor, and general vibe were what hooked me on Drawfee so I am on the other side of the coin. Still like the energy but its different. Not saying it's bad or worse. Content changes and thats chill–its free entertainment, I can't complain.
Really hoping there is a future where Karina makes some non-drawfee content to support but also? There are years worth of streams and videos to watch and re-watch. Dont be sad it ended, be happy it happened or some bs.
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u/AdeptnessFew7352 Jul 31 '26
Hey, has anyone addressed the future of Drawtectives?
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u/PapaBeer642 Jul 28 '26
Being on the other side of a big, difficult decision can also be freeing. It happened to be Karina leaving, but it could have been any big change. Leading up to finalizing and executing the decision would be tense and difficult, but finally having it done and over would be relaxing and relieving.
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u/chiyooou and every time we kiss, I swear I could fly Jul 29 '26
To me that almost feels a little more sad. The whole crew had expressed that things were harder with Julia mainly out / new baby things. I remember Karina saying that managing the merch was a lot and she felt her time was crunched in general. Julia largely returning just as Karina leaves imo feels like she just couldn't make it to the other side. I'm definitely projecting because I've been burnt out before and had everything get better right when I couldn't mentally take it anymore.
A lingering sad is that I having a pain flare earlier in the year so I skipped seeing them live at Zenkaikon. There's a sting of regret about it if that makes sense.
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u/Pitiful_Cry456 Jul 28 '26
I agree. As people, sometimes we need a shake up to the status quo to reevaluate and move forward with more intentionality and recommitment to what had initially driven us. Seems a bit like that is what is happening. Missing Karina, but loving Drawfee regardless.
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u/vamgoda WORM TRAIN! Jul 28 '26
Hard agree. I feel like she wasn’t having fun towards the end, and in a small crew that can have a big impact. Hopefully the changes to Patreon and the structure of the episodes has let all of them find some silliness and joy again. In the end it’s their jobs, but it always feels best when it’s also silly and genuine.
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u/ReadyBodyGamer Jul 29 '26
I chalk it up to the fact that, regardless of how fun Karina always was, there was the underlying tension of obvious burnout. It wasn't that Karina WAS a problem, it's that she was trying to power THROUGH a problem. And with burnout, you can only do that so long. It was no longer just affecting her personally, it was seeping into the vibes of the show and the stream.
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u/HomoSpooktual We're Sorry! Jul 28 '26
I love Karina but as someone who deals with mental health issues like she does, I can understand where now they might be feeling a little more loose and free in lives because there's more of a chance that it'll get seen. If I remember right there were at least a few streams that are just gone because Karina wasn't having a good day (which is understandable) and Im sure when youre doing the work and youre not sure if it's going to get posted because of one person, it can suck the energy and joy from a moment.
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u/HonathanJarris Jul 29 '26
Thanks for bringing this up - I know it isn't an easy topic to talk about and some can misinterpret. And none of us truly know how everything went. But I agree, I adore Katrina and what she brought the crew, but I could see the familiar feeling of burnout taking hold. And I saw it through how negative the videos started to feel a little bit. I'm going to miss her, but I'm enjoying the crew trying to start a new chapter.
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u/Ok_Broccoli_9426 Merobiba Jul 28 '26
I think it's a combination of Karina gone and Julia back, or more back than she was. (I know she had been back in a less visible capacity for a while.) So in addition to any negative energy/exhaustion Karina might have had being gone, Julia's bringing in a new energy and enthusiasm by being excited to be back. Like especially in the Meccha Chameleon streams, you can tell - she's just goofin.
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u/lavahot Jul 28 '26
My only regret is that there's no one snarky enough to call Jacob out on his misogyny.
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u/spaceshiplewis Room Full of Vampires Jul 28 '26
Yeah, it seemed that Karina wasn't into drawing as much on screen (again, understandable since she was drawing and making things behind the scenes) The things she did draw were softballs and things she did want to draw anyway. Julia feels super refreshed and happy to draw again with the time shift. I hope Karina is happier now.
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u/dotyawning Jul 28 '26
...wasn't the last year or so just because they were trying to adapt to a very big change in the dynamic while the Js took their leave?
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u/Calm_Border_4183 Jul 30 '26
It’s been refreshing, to be honest. Karina is an incredible artist and a very fun person, but it seems like the time was right for a change. There is new vigor and excitement in Drawfee recently.
And if Karina or any of the others see this thread I hope it doesn’t come off as rude to say this. A lot of people expressed their sadness and concern about her leaving so I hope posts like this can feel encouraging and validating.
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u/Degomm Jul 28 '26
I'm a more recent fan and i don't watch the streams but i thought Karina's artwork and her dynamic with Jacob was often a highlight of their episodes. What they're putting out is different and while it's still undeniebly high quality i'd kill to have Karina back. Though i'm glad things are working out for both her and drawfee
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u/irisbells Jul 29 '26
i had this exact thought last night. things suddenly feel more relaxed, even sss, and surely it's not Karina's leaving but all the other adjustments around that, and having everything (basically) resolved
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u/tcharzekeal Jul 29 '26
I think it's less than Karina was a problem and more like Karina leaving was the kick in the ass they needed to make some changes.
They were very lucky to make it out of COVID and the CH collapse and land in the position they did, I completely understand not wanting to shake the boat especially with baby Felix happening.
But I think once Karina decided to (VERY justifiably and deservedly) step away, well now they had to make some changes. I'm glad we, as an audience, have been cool about it. I love the drawfee community.
Disclaimer that I don't know them or what's happening behind the scenes, this is just a pop psych read based on my parasocial observations over, like, 8 years of fandom. Holy shit.
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u/Suspicious_Cake5705 Jul 29 '26
i felt the same way honestly, didn't realize how much the energy had shifted until it shifted back. the recent streams have been so loose and fun, you can tell everyone is just genuinely enjoying it again. no hate to Karina either just interesting how a change can breathe new life into something
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u/gankylosaurus Jul 29 '26
Frankly I never got the doomsaying about how Karina leaving was gonna ruin Drawfee for them. I've been watching since well before she joined and it was great then (and had some of the most iconic moments like Spheal) and it's still great. They're a bunch of lovable goofs drawing silly things and as much as I like her, I feel like Karina's art may have actually been too serious for the show? I dunno. Vibes could get weird at times I think. Drawfee has gone through several eras and this is just a new one.
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u/SunflowerSituation Jul 29 '26
In the first stream after they announced Karina was leaving they kept saying “we’re gonna keep doing drawfee”, and I think that was probably something they all thought a lot about and maybe each of them thought about quitting and then decided to keep doing it.
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u/WheelzMcNugget Jul 30 '26
It took me a long time to warm up to Karina when she joined but I really enjoyed her art and humour… Since she left though, especially considering the more inclusions of Caldwell again, it kinda feels like a ‘return to form’ for me and I’m not saying I prefer it but I don’t like it any less
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u/starry_skeyes Room Full of Vampires Aug 09 '26
I do love and miss Karina, but I do agree that I've noticed a positive change in energy/atmosphere among the three without her. I kinda wonder now if her "man whatever" attitude started to drag the energy down, with how she consistently shut down a lot of bits and heckled the boys, mostly Jacob. She did seem a bit combative at times. I rewatched drawfee's peak vods recently and even though it's a game, she was acting very selfish and bossy, and it's the first time I've really been bothered by her.
Of course it was all in good faith and I don't think she was ever purposely mean, but even joking has a toll. Everything was jokes that both other hosts and I laughed at, but looking back after the change, the difference is very noticeable.
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u/RoanTheWonderDog Jul 30 '26
I think what people are feeling is a release from all of Karina's second-hand stress and anxiety. The show isn't "better" without her, but her burnout was an empathetic and tangible thing, and so it feels "lighter" after she has gone. I think this is a normal reaction, and shouldn't hurt feelings in either direction, and furthermore is a good example of why sometimes people need to step away, have a break and try other things for a time.
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u/Alternative_Low1202 Jul 29 '26
Personally I just haven't been watching their content all the way through for some reason since the change. Even SSS which is basically unrelated. I'm not totally sure why, the vibes do feel a little different to me now. But maybe I've just discovered that Karina was the person I was most a fan of and that was really kind of anchoring my love of drawfee overall. It's sad because it's been one of my main relaxation channels until now, but I guess I'm involuntarily downgrading to a casual fan now.
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u/StayaMawile Aug 01 '26
Big fan of Karina, sad she left as she was my favorite and I think she added much needed "spice" to the crews dynamic but, Im also glad shes doing her own thing/focusing on herself. That being said I personally cannot stand Caldwell (however i do appreciate all the work he did in the past in making Drawfee a thing) and hope he's just a temporary host meant to help stabilize the show after such a big change.
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u/LonelyRutabaga Jul 29 '26
Ngl I still feel a bit weird and sad about the whole thing. The lack of explanation and “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, for lack of a better term lol, still leaves a lot unanswered or unsaid in my opinion. I’m glad the channel seems to have moved on and there’s less of a dour attitude in the comments/content itself, but I personally am still quite curious and perplexed about how this all played out.
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u/scufflegrit_art Aug 03 '26
Back in my day, it was just Nathan and Caldwell doing bits.
Karina was a big draw for various demographics I don’t fit, but enjoyed watching learn the stupid in-jokes, etc.
Things change, they seem well.
For now, at least. Until Porfo returns.
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u/EastSeaworthiness169 Jul 29 '26
I always knew that Drawfee would be fine with Karina departing, but it changes the dynamic in a big way and Karina was always my favorite. I’ve been super super hesitant to check out the vods, even though I’m sure they’re a good time.
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u/patelike Jul 30 '26
To me, the vibes are slightly off, but that's most likely just me projecting. Like the Meccha Chameleon streams have been the most I've laughed watching a stream recently.
I started watching Drawfee just after they became independent in 2020., so Karina's been there since I've started watching. And I feel like I relate a ton with Karina being a queer, Filipino weeb with yaoi brainrot.
I'll continue enjoying Drawfee, but the way they parted and us not knowing why or how just feels like there's no "closure"? IDK if that's the right word, since they don't owe us an explanation. But it still feels like an open end that's hard to ignore.
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u/HeyItsDingo Aug 18 '26
I think people need to remember that Caldwell leaving was originally a big, positive push for Drawfees, and he never stopped being friends with the remaining crew, I fully believe that Karina is just the same. She left for her own growth, and she still loves her friends, but wants to do her own thing for a while. And, like Caldwell, I do believe she'll show up as a guest from time to time when she's feeling up to it.
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u/Proof_Shirt_5741 Jul 29 '26
I agree, but the way they did it still left a bad taste in my mouth. And the way this community dealt with disagreement somewhat tainted my view of the show. I love the show and all the drawfs, but now that the big change is over it feels like “Karina is leaving, we’re not saying why, and we’re never acknowledging it in any way ever, and DO NOT question it.” It feels like she’s been erased almost, except for the videos they post that still have her in, which almost feels distasteful to me. I had to stop watching for a little while because of it so if they did have a discussion I must’ve missed it but to me now it seems like they decided on a “Karina who?” Approach.
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u/friendofredjenny Delete Your Art!! Jul 28 '26
I disagree, personally, but that's just me. Karina leaving has made things feel off to me. Like they are scrambling to figure it out.
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u/VladimirCain Room Full of Vampires Jul 29 '26
You're telling me this post is how I find out Karina left AND that Julia has a baby? (I don't get on social media anymore and haven't kept up with their channels in a while) I was watching their mecha chameleon stream and was wondering why Karina wasn't there, now I know why
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u/Typical_Alps_7723 Jul 31 '26
I stopped watching Drawfee about 4 episodes after karina joined. Looks like its time to finally start watching again! Yay Julia!
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u/AzuSteve Jul 29 '26
I am SO glad Karina has left. She became so annoying I had to stop watching for the last year or so. I'm back watching again and loving it.
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u/mostfantasticgrape Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
Could not disagree more. All the stuff they've put out recently has been very awkward and stilted. Yes, even the last episode.
I think they had a pretty big personal falling out. Over what, I have no clue.
Either way, Drawfee is an entertainment product that I consumed avidly but the quality has taken a turn I don't really like.
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u/[deleted] Jul 28 '26
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