His technique relied on the formal precision of the burin. He often worked from portraits by masters such as Raphael or Rigaud. Tardieu was noted for his ability to replicate the textures of fabric and skin. He avoided the artificial grace often used in anatomical studies to mask unpleasant subjects. Instead, he preferred a direct and clear representation. His plates for the Communion of Saint Jerome and portraits of figures like J.B. Colbert demonstrate a skill for light and shadow achieved through disciplined cross-hatching.

For those collecting art prints today, Tardieu offers a window into the intellectual and political history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. His work captures the portraits of explorers like Jean François Galaup de Lapérouse and kings like Stanislaus Augustus. These prints provide a sense of historical weight and technical skill. They suit traditional interiors or gallery walls where the clarity of classical engraving is valued.