Jean-Claude Reynal, born in Bordeaux in 1938 studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux from 1953 to 1959 where he received the 1st prize for engraving. In 1961 went to work in Paris at Parisien Libere. In Paris he was introduced to Atelier 17 the experimental print studio founded by Stanley William Hayter, where he was introduced to other techniques. He decided to stay in Paris, where became one of the assistants at Atelier 17. In 1963 he won a Fulbright scholarship, and in 1964 an Elizabeth Gremthields scholarship that allowerd him th study at the San Francisco Art Institute.

In 1965, thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he spent 3 months at the Atelier Nord in Oslo, Norway where he worked with artists representing over 12 countries. This workshop, founded by Reidar Rudjord and Anne Breivik, concentrated on ongoing research, assistance and the exchange of professional information: each journey, the artists would review each others work and collaborate on new graphic methods. The archives are now at the Foundation Workshop North led by Dag Solhjell. In 1968, during one of his trips to Oslo, at the Norwegian government's request, Jean-Claude Reynal was involved in directing a short film on printmaking techniques.

He was a professor at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris from 1965 to 1987: and established a course where young artists were involved regularly with him with their favorite art form: drawing, watercolor, pastels, etc. On a one-to one basis he gave each student personal instruction. Secondly, as a workshop of intaglio engraving, it ensured the transmission of this technique. His work, after a beginning of an inspiration rather naturalistic, incorporates techniques learned from Stanley Hayter. Since 1965 his prints are often abstract and vary in size and he often uses primary colors and checkers to enliven the surface of the paper. Some prints only consist of these reliefs and accents are almost white or completely white. Many works are acheived by using an electric milling machine. In this case the printing is done on vellum paper from Holland which is noted for its rigidity and bright whiteness. Over the years he became known in France and abroad and in March 1968, he exhibited at the Galerie du Fleuve in Bordeaux with the Japanese artist Kenji Yoshida, Francis Courrech and Norwegian Anne Breivik, co-creator of Atelier Nord. In 1969, he participated in the International Biennial of Paris.

Reynal died in Bordeaux in March of 1988 at the age of 50.