Born in Brittany, France, in 1965, this artist studied at the St. Lukas School of Fine Arts in Brussels. It was there that they met Eric Lambé and together they created Mokka and Pelure Amère, two comic magazines. In 1996 and 1997, they served as the artistic director of the children’s section of the Nekepell newspaper in Brittany.
Upon moving to Portugal, this artist worked as a comic book artist, illustrator, and story writer for various magazines and newspapers. They have also published several illustrated books, including “Contos de Macau” by Alice Vieira, published by Editorial Caminho, which earned them the award for Best Portuguese Illustrator.
Since the year 2000, this artist has been organizing writing and illustration workshops in Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé. From 2001 to 2004, they participated in a project promoted by an NGO that focused on the social reality of several African countries, including Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, and Mozambique. This project resulted in a book titled “Ilhas de Fogo” (Islands of Fire).
Alain Corbel visits various countries and embarks on numerous journeys that contribute to their work as an illustrator. They consider their professional work to be a kind of inner journey, which is why they believe that freedom and flexibility in style and illustration techniques are essential.
Their illustrations reflect this perspective, showcasing the experiences and encounters they gather from their travels around the world. Their artwork incorporates influences from both the East and the West, captured through a drawing technique that focuses on essential lines, with color playing a fundamental role.
This artist’s work has been recognized and awarded throughout their career. In 2000, they received the 3rd Prize in Category 1 at the Luzerner Comix Festival. In 2001, they received the Award of Excellence from the Society for News Design in the USA. They were also awarded the National Illustration Prize in 2002 for “Contos e Lendas de Macau.” In 2004, they received another Award of Excellence from the Society for News Design, and in 2005, they received an Honorable Mention for the National Illustration Prize for “A Máquina Infernal” (The Infernal Machine).
