Darryn Eggleton
Darryn Eggleton: Capturing the Wild Soul
Darryn Eggleton’s mission as an artist is simple yet profound: to portray the beauty, diversity, and depth of life. Born in South Africa in 1981, he grew up immersed in the natural world, with the iconic landscapes and wildlife of the Kruger National Park right on his doorstep. Family trips into the African bush sparked his passion for wildlife art from a young age, as he began sketching the creatures that fascinated him.
Africa’s vast open spaces, secret places, dramatic seasons, and incredible diversity continue to inspire Darryn’s work. He captures the soul of each animal by isolating them against a single-color backdrop, allowing the only hint of their environment to be seen through the reflections in their eyes. This cinematic technique brings each subject to vivid life, creating a powerful sense of presence and drawing the viewer into the experience of the painting.
Darryn’s exquisite attention to detail comes from a meticulous research process. Field trips into the bush and visits to breeding centres allow him to gather reference material before he retreats to his studio to paint. His chosen medium—oil on linen—enables him to render fur patterns and textures with astonishing accuracy, resulting in intensely realistic animal portraits that capture both the essence and the spirit of his subjects.
Over the years, Darryn’s exceptional talent has earned him numerous accolades, including being shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year and receiving the Hirum Blauveldt Purchase Award. He has served as the resident artist at the prestigious Leopard Creek Golf Estate on the banks of the Crocodile River in Kruger National Park and has completed residencies at the Nature in Art Museum in Gloucester.
Darryn’s work has been exhibited internationally in London, Switzerland, Singapore, and New York, and his paintings are prized by corporate and private collectors alike. He has undertaken commissions for exclusive game lodges and regularly auctions his work to support charitable causes, including Room to Read in Zurich and the Backing Borana Trust for rhino conservation.
“Each painting I undertake feels like an expedition,” says Darryn. “With its preparation, endurance, lessons, and satisfaction. It is my hope that these qualities will shine through and capture your imagination.”
