At first influenced by the classic realistic current, he discovers impressionism which influences his works until 1970. He studied German Literature in Aix-en-Provence but decided to dedicate himself to painting full-time in 1980 when he started to research German expressionism. Jacques Pellegrin was influenced by fauvists and French expressionists such as Vincent van Gogh, André Derain, Albert Marquet, Kees van Dongen, and Henri Matisse. He was also inspired by artists of the Provence and Marseille schools, including Auguste Chabaud, Louis-Mathieu Verdilhan, and Pierre Ambrogiani.