Darryn Eggleton

The exquisite detail and lifelike quality of Darryn’s art come from painstaking research. He collects reference material on field trips into the bush as well as at breeding centres before heading into the studio He paints his intensely realistic animal portraits in oil on linen. Over the years he has refined his skill and technique to a point where fur patterns and textures are vividly and authentically reproduced.

Africa is, he says, “particularly blessed with its vast open spaces and secret places, dramatic seasons and variety of life forms.” His work isolates his chosen subject against a single colour backdrop, so the only hint of their environment is seen through the reflections in their eyes. This almost cinematic effect makes each animal seem to project beyond the plane of the canvas, bringing them into sharp and immediate relief. It also has the dual effect of creating a strong and lifelike presence, as well as “seeming to place the viewer within the physical experience of the painting” says Darryn.