Travel notes from a western remake!

Sometimes, you just put the saddle back on "for the sheer joy of it." That's how MORRIS Tribute - “Mr. LUKE” was born: a respectful and personal reinterpretation of the cowboy who marked Eric's childhood. In this article, we take you through a creative process, step by step—from the first sketch to the coloring—like a travel journal kept during a journey through the Wild West...

1. Choosing the topic: let's focus on a legend!

The starting point is always an intention. For this project, the idea was to pay homage to Morris and Lucky Luke , not through imitation, but through reinterpretation (a musical reinterpretation) – preserving the spirit of the icon while grounding it in a contemporary sensibility. The choice of subject guides the tone, the palette, and the composition: a lone cowboy, a steep incline, the search for a campsite between two arduous adventures… all these narrative elements shape the rest of the work.

2. Research and inspiration: on the trail of references...

For this project, there was an embarrassment of riches: Morris's comic strips are brimming with iconic moments and inspiring scenes. But one image in particular stood out : the one where Lucky Luke is walking up a hill, in search of a well-deserved bivouac between two adventures.
This simple and silent scene sums up the whole spirit of the character: the solitude of the traveler, the gentle fatigue after the road, and this almost poetic relationship between the man, his mount and the immensity of the landscape.

It immediately spoke as a foundational reference for this redesign - a starting point full of symbols, to be revisited in another way, in a more personal visual language but faithful to the soul of the lone cowboy.

Starting from this reference, to go a little further than a simple redesign.
The addition is a nod to “Apache Canyon”: an arrow from behind, lodged in his hat, while he simultaneously draws it backwards faster than his shadow, eyes closed, continuing to climb the hill with a nonchalant step.
A suspended moment, full of both tension and humor , true to the spirit of Morris - that unique blend of composure, bravery and lightness that makes up the charm of the lone cowboy.

3. Quick sketch: laying the groundwork for the redesign

Since this is a reworking of an existing scene, only one quick sketch was made. This allowed the original composition to be translated into a unique and original language: accentuating the lines of force, balancing the masses, and asserting the rhythm of movement.
This short but essential step sets the tone for the redesign and defines the dynamics of the line to come through the language of forms.

The timelapse above illustrates this moment: from the spontaneous sketch to the creation of a more precise drawing.

4. Sketch: Refining the design

The pencil sketch allowed for refining the volumes, reworking the pose of the character and his mount, and adjusting the narrative details: the pierced hat, the arrow, the firing motion, the intentional distortion that drawing allows (anything is possible), especially for Mr. Luke. A few clouds of smoke. "-... / .-.. / ." meaning "BLE" in the distance in Indian "Morse Code"... Each line seeks to maintain its typical nonchalance, this phlegm always unshakeable even in the heart of the action.

5. Inking: giving voice to the line

Next comes the inking, a true graphic signature. Expressive line art was favored, inspired by comic book conventions while maintaining a modern and original style.
The thickness of the line, its rectilinear variation and its breaks create a visual vibration that serves the character of the hero: precise, composed, but always ready to draw.

6. Colorization: fidelity and depth

For the colouring, the aim was to remain faithful to Morris's original and typical palette - those bold, luminous shades that give all its breath to the world of Lucky Luke.
Even though there are many variations depending on the album, Éric Bl. made sure to maintain this harmony while adding my personal touch: a few extra shadows and lights to accentuate the volume and offer a subtle 2D/3D relief sensation.
A balance between respect and interpretation, tradition and modernity.

7. Finishes and Signature Edition

The final touches focus on adjusting colors, lighting, and print fidelity (BAT). Each print is calibrated, within the theme “Icons & Legends – Remixed Tributes (Special Edition)”, where mythical figures and cultural heritage meet a contemporary sensibility.

This project is first and foremost a graphic thank you to Morris and the tradition of Franco-Belgian comics.
A way to get back on the road with Lucky Luke, to salute his composure and freedom, while asserting my own mark.
Because above all, comics are an art - a territory of dreams, memory and freedom.

-> Discover the Signature Edition print here :