FAQs
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. This interplay between space and subject juxtaposed against the calm black-and-white tones of the graphite and the luxurious texture of the paper ground creates a tantalizing tension within the picture plane.
Although the consideration with which the artist renders his objects appears almost photographic in its precision his work is primarily rooted in observation. Prior to composing a work, RJ Blanchette creates a series of sketches to organize the interaction between the subjects and to establish the tonal relationships. Balance is critical; many hours are spent selecting subjects and minutely adjusting their placements, sizes, and perspectives. As the drawing progresses, the subjects, the light source, and the spatial relationships are manipulated directly on the paper: light is redirected; depths are compressed; and the scaling is adjusted. In certain instances, all references to the physical model cease to exist.
Robert J. Blanchette received formal art education from Boston University in Massachusetts. His work is represented in the private collections in Switzerland, France and the United States. The artist currently resides in Ecublens in the Canton of Vaud Switzerland.
