'2007-2008 Winter tests - Kevin Schwantz, Suzuka 1988
11/20/2008

During the '2006 winter , I wanted to try my hand at making comics. Because of a lack of time, I only carried rough scketches about the "Baa Baa Black Sheep" TV broadcast. I would have liked to make strips about motorcycle too. The idea of celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kevin Schwantz's first GP win came to me very quickly. I only finished the story board in the winter before starting a new MotoGP series. At the French GP, I had those drafts in my portfolios and Kevin Schwantz was in Le Mans, so I asked him to sign those roughs.

At the end of last year, I made the strips about the "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and Sylvain Guintoli as a practise. Then, I decided to start the creation of these three strips (ten boxes). The difficulty was coming from the fact that everything was on the same sheet. No right to mistake with the risk of doing all again. So, it's with a little of apprehension that I started inking. With this technique, it's necessary to know when it's the right moment to stop. I spread my work over three days in order to keep focused.

Eventually, as this artwork was bound to be sold at auction for the benefit of Riders for Health, I wanted more than ever the best result.

Related items :
- Kevin Schwantz's profile (02/18/2008)
- Happy birthday Kevin Schwantz (06/19/2004)
- Address book : Riders for health (11/20/2008)

Strip 1/3
India ink
November 2007
Strip 2/3
India ink
November 2007
Strip 3/3
India ink
November 2007


Step by step : Strip #1
In the beginning, I thought about writing this comics in French. The story board was ready in the '2007 spring. I had taken it with me at the French GP. I met Kevin Schwantz and asked him to sign these roughs.
The layout : a first drawing precise with a pencil.
The inking beginning : I pass again on the lines with India ink. I put the text boxes.
Once I've inked all the lines , I erase the pencil marks.
Before lettering, I finish the inking. I currently use fineliners with 0,05 to 0,7 mm lines and also a brush pen.

Lettering is the final stage.

[ ©  Mon petit atelier 2008]
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