Vaporous Eroticism With An Indian Flavour By Artoupan

French cartoonist Benoît Girier, known by his pseudonyms Lematou for regular comics and Artoupan for erotic works, was born on April 9, 1976, in the Lyon region. Originally a biology student, he quickly shifted his focus to the fine arts, studying in Montpellier. 

Scoundrel

"Artoupan" meaning "rogue, scoundrel or good-for-nothing" in the Lyon dialect, reflects his bold, sensuous approach, especially in works like Mahârâja, where he explores sensuality through vibrant, atmospheric compositions.

Fig.1. Fantaisie Forestière (Forest Fantasy)

Fig.1a

Vaporous Atmosphere

Artoupan’s style is marked by his exclusive use of pencil, which lends his line a unique patina and creates a soft, vaporous atmosphere. Warm, luminous colors enhance the delicate and sensual feel of each scene, immersing the reader in a richly textured visual experience that perfectly complements his storytelling.

Drawing Techniques

In a 2015 interview Artoupan explained the following about his drawing techniques: "In drawing, I do everything in pencil. I like having shades of gray, grain and texture in the stroke. Also, I've never been able to get a result with ink that I like. I go over the light table to get a usable result. When it comes to colors, I create color areas to keep the line as present as possible necessary to me. And to break the cold side of the digital colors, I add textures."

Fig.2. Amour Fauve 

Fig.2a

Kama Sutra

Artoupan applied these techniques, and his interest in Indian culture and the Kama Sutra, in the three erotic comics that he has created so far in collaboration with the writer Frédéric Brémaud (working on the 'erotic' pseudonym Labrémure). The story of the first album Mahârâja (Maharadja) issued in 2012, is set in the year 1917, where a scandal arises on Lake Como when a maharaja's secret visit causes chaos. Their next album from 2015, Nuit Indienne (Indian Nights), features the male protagonist Léon Latourette who schemes with a notorious thief to steal a priceless diamond. And in their latest album from 2019 entitled Le Cinéaste (The Filmmaker), we follow Adélie pursuing her stolen diamond (again), risking scandal, love, and freedom along the way. Artoupan's preference for red-haired beauties is clearly visible as the female leads all have this hair color.

Fig.3. Adélie d'Arcueil 

Fig.3a

Fig.4 Indian Nights, cover drawing of the B&W version for the eponymous album

Fig.5. "The Thieving Magpie", illustration for the B&W version of Indian Nights

Fig.6. "Exquisite Greyhound", illustration from the project Illustrated Carnal Education written by Géraldine Bindi

Fig.6a

Fig.7. "Seductive Bigot ", illustration from the project Illustrated Carnal Education written by Géraldine Bindi

Fig.8. "Reverie", commissioned illustration, published in the B&W version of Nuits Indiennes (Indian Nights)

Fig.8a

Fig.9. "The Bride Was on the Run", cover drawing for the first adventure of Diane d'Aventin by Nelly Chadour, published by Le Carnoplaste.

Fig.10. Baignade (The Bath)

Fig.10a

Fig.11. The Maharani of Pondicherry 

Fig.11a

Fig.12. The Unfinished Masterpiece 

Fig.12a

Fig.13. Stirring Up the Storm

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Fig.14. Mistress Ishtar, commissioned work

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Fig.15. "Plate No. 5" from Indian Nights

Fig.16. "Adélie and the Rani", illustration for the B&W version of Nuits Indiennes (Indian Nights)

Fig.17. Blanket (2019). The drawing that was used for the cover of Le Cinéaste without its colors, exposed

Storyline Le Cinéaste (The Filmmaker):

The beautiful Adélie had her diamond stolen by an Indian guru. Launched in pursuit, she arrives in Marseille and contacts the Pinkerton agency. Yes, but it's expensive. So expensive that she agreed to appear in erotic productions intended for the bourgeoisie of Istanbul, in which important notables from Marseille took part. Until the police intercepted these films and investigated. Rumor is spreading and notables fear for their reputation. The filmmaker, a very cowardly imbecile, turns himself in to the police. And to be exonerated, he suggests throwing everything away. Adélie, wet up to her neck, has to intervene. If the filmmaker speaks, she will be arrested, will never find her diamond and could lose her new love, the only sincere one she has had to date. The filmmaker must disappear...

Fig.17a Cover of Le Cinéaste (The Filmmaker), 2019

In the extended Premium edition you can check out a wonderful gallery including 47 additional examples of Artoupan's most arousing erotica from the comics The Filmmaker, Indian Nights, Mahârâja, his framed "Indecent Miniatures" series and commissioned work. Premium members can click here for instant access.

More artwork on Artoupan's site

Click HERE for the orgiastic aesthetics of the adult comic legend Roberto "Magnus" Raviola

Sources: x.com, camillemm.com, artoupan.fr, planetebd.com, lemaharaja.blogspot.com

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