From around the world, Exercise Pitch Black 24 was recorded by 117 official military photographers and one professional artist.
Lapin – French for ‘rabbit’ – is the pseudonym of the official artist for the French Air and Space Force.
Wearing a signature floral print shirt and straw fedora, Lapin and his sketchbook were a familiar sight around RAAF Base Darwin during the first two weeks of the exercise.
His works documenting Pitch Black will be collected into a 130-page book, for release by the French Air and Space Force in early 2025.
Among the moments he recorded were jet aircraft departures from the RAAF Base Darwin main runway, and personnel at Defence Accommodation Precinct – Darwin (DAP-D).
Lapin also sketched RAAF Base Darwin landmarks including the Bloodhound Missiles at the base entrance, the Mirage IIIO static display and the officers’ mess.
“To spend those days and to live with the air forces of 20 nations is unique,” Lapin said.
“I enjoyed watching the different fighters, spending the evening in DAP-D, and sharing moments and culture together is my highlight.
“The open day was also a fantastic opportunity to share with the aviators and visitors.”
Describing himself as a ‘mobile illustrator’, Lapin worked on location with a sketchbook, a fineliner, watercolours and a folding stool.
Each work is largely completed in location, taking about 45 minutes.
With only two weeks in Darwin, there were precious few moments for him to see other Top End sights.
“As a botanic enthusiast, I really appreciate Darwin botanic garden and to observe the wildlife of the Northern Territory,” Lapin said.
“The sunset in East Point is also memorable.”
Lapin normally resides in Barcelona, and has published more than 40 compilation sketchbooks in the past 20 years.
These include four collaborations with the French Air and Space Force focusing on Patrouille de France aerobatic team, Cazaux Air Base, the Le Bourget aviation museum and French aviators.
For Pitch Black, Lapin was brought in to document the wider Pegase 24 deployment by the French Air and Space Force to the Indo-Pacific region.
It was the first time the artist was engaged on an overseas deployment.
“As an official Air and Space Painter (Peintre de l’Air et de l’Espace) since 2019, I have a strong connection with the French Air and Space Force,” Lapin said.
“When I received the proposal to join the Pegase mission, I couldn’t decline such adventure.”
The Pegase 24 deployment included opportunities to sketch French aviators as well as Phenix Multi-Role Tanker Transports, A400Ms and Rafales on their journey across the globe.
Sketching the first two weeks of Pitch Black, Lapin captured day-to-day moments in the exercise.
“The Pegase mission and the Pitch Black exercise have been unique in comparison to my previous missions,” Lapin said.
“My connection with the aviators was closer than ever and I hope that my sketches will share this experience.”
