Robert J. Blanchette (b.1961–) is an artist whose meticulously rendered graphite pencil drawings employ various genres of still life, portraiture and landscape to explore complex relationships between light and space. The artist literally hammers the paper with rock-hard graphite to achieve the rich tonal array-simultaneously diminishes and increases the importance of the subjects he presents.
My art communicates my emotion at the time of choosing the subject to draw. The gray scales achieved when drawing with graphite and charcoal are an ideal medium for visually expressing what I feel about a specific subject. Although the genre of my work is realistic, imitating reality is not the primary goal. I want a viewer of my work to get something out of viewing it. I want to stir some sort of memory, emotion or feeling. When the viewer identifies with a work of art then the art is a success.
During the early and mid 1960's, as America was experiencing military, political and social change, the art community, was itself, undergoing a metamorphism. Starting in 1965, just as the abstract expressionism movement was dwindling in popularity, the art community sought to challenge and hopefully to displace the newer Modernism movement that was currently the trend in paintings, sculptures and other forms of media.
If you know the story La Chèvre de M. Seguin, then you know why. But for those who are not familiar with the story, it is about a goat owned by M. Seguin. The goat's name was Blanchette. In antiquity the name Blanchette was also written as Blanquette. The pronunciation is the same, it's just two ways of spelling the same name.
As a concrete example of this my ancestor Pierre Blanquet immigrated to Québec in 1642, or there abouts. On arrival the spelling of his name changed from Blanquet to Blanchet. It was much later in the 1700s that the name changed to its current spelling of Blanchette.
Paper : 300 gsm 56 cm x 76 cm
fine grain cold pressed Aches watercolor paper.
Image size : 70 cm by 50 cm
Graphite : Caran d'Ache - 6B, 3B, F, 2H, 6H
Charcoal : Medium
This is a drawing of the Four de Renges that will be presented at the Galerie du Pressoir on the 12th of December 2010.
Every now and then I participate in the weekly challenge at Drawspace.com. I thought I would share this one here because it is one of...
I have been able to work out some of the problems with the likness of Robin du Four, but I'm not sure that it is acurate. I have asked around town for some photos of him to confirm what I have...
The reference photo for the portrait is a poor photograph so I needed to improvise a bit on the facial features and the eyes. In the photo the eyes are very dark with no details. I will...
To my mind a realistic approach does not limit creative imagination, which I thoroughly agree is a part of all good art. There are those who take the stance that realism in art curtails the full expression...
Owning an RJ Blanchette work of art is a pleasurable, enjoyable experience. You may have previously purchased art or have been unsuccessful in finding that right piece. If so, why not commission a work...
During the early and mid 1960's, as America was experiencing military, political and social change the art community was itself undergoing a metamorphism. Starting in 1965, just as the abstract expressionism...
RJ TIP - Steps for a better composition
Great compositions don’t just happen by accident. They take planning, patience, and a knowledge of all the visual elements at your disposal....
RJ TIP - Grid method using image software
Using the grid method with a graphics program. The program that you use is of little importance. I have chosen to use GIMP in this tip because it's...
