Son of a farmer, Rodolphe Duguay was born in 1891 in Nicolet. He studied at the rural school, with the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and at the Nicolet Seminary.
In 1911, he began learning drawing through evening classes at the Monument National in Montreal. That same year, he studied under artists such as Gill, Dyonnet, St-Charles, and Laliberté. The artist who had the most significant influence on his development was Suzor-Coté, whom he met in 1918. Although Suzor-Coté had always refused to take on students, he made an exception for Duguay. For a year, he mentored him, providing lessons in drawing and painting. In 1920, he encouraged his young protégé to pursue further studies in France.
Duguay remained in Paris until 1927, supported at first by a benefactor, then by his parents, and finally, in 1924, by a scholarship from the Quebec government.
During his seven years in Paris, Duguay worked diligently. Enrolled at the Académie Julian and the École des Beaux-Arts, the artist from Nicolet was influenced by Pierre Laurens and Henri Morisset, yet he managed to refine his skills without sacrificing his personal style. He also took sketching classes at the Académie Colarossi and the Grande Chaumière.
During his long stay in France, he traveled extensively throughout the country. He visited Brittany four times to paint and also spent time in Charente, the region of his ancestors. He also traveled through Italy.
Duguay returned to Canada in 1927 and settled in Nicolet, in the heart of the countryside. Nature became his main source of inspiration. He married Jeanne L’Archevêque, a musician, writer, and poet.
While in Paris, he had learned etching and wood engraving. In 1935, he published a book of wood engravings, which sold out quickly. Over a period of about ten years, he produced more than a hundred engravings for book illustrations, Christmas cards, and other works. The overall quality of these prints earned him recognition as one of the finest engravers in Canada.
He also returned to painting, notably receiving commissions for church murals in Sorel and Drummondville.