Aviation Art in South Africa by artist, Darryl Legg
The subject of aviation is one which appeals to a relatively small, yet growing number of enthusiasts. Whether it be flying modern airliners, or private aircraft, model scale aviation, or military aircraft of today and days gone by, capturing the magic of flight on canvas, is enjoying an increasing response from aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
The aviation art of Darryl Legg, has been circulating South Africa for the past 20 years and has attracted clients both locally and internationally. His interest in aircraft, together with his passion for art, inspired Darryl at an early age, to pursue his talents and to emerge as one of South Africa's leading aviation artists. On completing his training, he became a full time professional artist at the age of twenty, choosing acrylics as his medium. Although his subject matter includes portraits, landscapes, automotive, locomotive and marine art, Darryl is a recognised Aviation Artist, and the majority of his time is devoted to working on aviation commission work. Painting as a full-time professional, it is indeed a full-time career, requiring many hours of research and detail applied to each portrayal of his aviation subject, with emphasis on colour accuracy and realism.
Each of Darryl's works, is done on a gesso-primed canvas. Acrylics are his choice of medium, as this paint has fast-drying qualities, which compliment his style and enables him to attain a high level of detail. With hundreds of aviation books, magazines and photographs in his library, Darryl can create works which are accurate and authentic, relying on his reference to ensure that each artwork is in line with his high quality standard which he maintains for each client.
On two occasions, Sun International has commissioned Darryl to do marine paintings, which hang in the main games room of the Grand West Casino in Cape Town. Other corporate clients include the South African Airways (SAA)and the South African Air Force (SAAF) for whom he has done numerous works over the years. In 2008 Darryl exhibited at the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow in New Zealand. It was a spectacular event where his work was well received and it boosted his international clientele. Recently, Darryl was approached by the Natures Choice food company, to paint and create a ‘3D’effect of a fictional airliner on the factory wall. An image of this can be viewed on the ‘other’ category under galleries.
Darryl Legg was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1975. After having matriculated in 1993, he went to the Technical College in Port Elizabeth, where he completed his art course. He is currently living in the Karoo town of Middelburg, from where he sends his work to various clients, both locally and internationally.
Whichever way you look at it, to the aviation enthusiast, aircraft are beautiful and possess a shape which belongs in the air! Capture it on canvas…
To find out how the process of ordering an artwork from Darryl Legg works, click here or browse his extensive gallery of completed works.
