[[wikipedia:Image:Jije-Blondin&Cirage-Marsu.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Blondin, Cirage, Prof. Labarbousse and guest star "Marsupilami Africanis" in Les soucoupes volantes (1954)|]] Born Joseph Gillain in Gedinne, Namur, he completed various art studies (woodcraft, goldsmithing, drawing and painting) at the abbey of Maredsous. In 1936, he created his first comics character, Jojo in the catholic newspaper Le Croisé. Jojo was heavily influenced by The Adventures of Tintin, but Jijé gradually developed his own style. Soon a second series followed, Blondin et Cirage, for the catholic youth magazine Petits Belges. Jijé also produced many illustrations for various Walloon magazines.