Sketches & Illustrations
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Fellow of the Australian Society of Marine Artist
Client: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Western Australia
The brief was to create signage an underwater scene that shows the difference between marine park wildlife that live in the reserves and those that don't.
Client: Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia
The brief was to create signage for the Exmouth Sprayground, plus photo panels and tumbler illustrations for children to interact with.
Client: Personal
Client: Personal
Client: Personal
Client: Personal
A very early fantasy piece. Back then, these wouldn't be planned out. I started on the twisted brickwork and then as I drew, the ideas would simply come to me. It would be lovely to get back to this space in my head. Just follow the pencil and see what happens.
I only used two reference photos to create this. One was for the eagle and I took a photo of my flatmates hands for the girl. I have to admit, next time around I'll use a full reference for a person!
Client: Personal
One of my old fantasy pieces.
Client: Caitlin Spice
Book illustration for "The Silver Path"
An illustrated collection of short stories from author Caitlin Spice, also known as C.M. Scandreth and Cymoril_Melnibone. ISBN: 9780473390853
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Darrell moved to Perth in the mid-1980s with his family. Although he had a passion for drawing and painting from an early age, he followed in his parents’ footsteps and pursued a career in the Navy.
As a signalman, Darrell served on several Australian Naval ships, including HMAS Westralia and HMAS Swan. In between watches, Darrell continued with his passion for drawing, leading him to produce art works frequently mistaken for photographs. One of his first photo-realistic pencil drawings was of HMNZS Waikato, a ship that is close to his family’s heart; his father was part of the commissioning crew and both Darrell and his brother were christened on-board.
After leaving the Navy in 1997, Darrell traveled throughout Europe and the UK, returning to Australia to enroll at the WA School of Art, Design and Media. Graduating in 2002 with an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design and Multimedia, Darrell continued with his drawing and expanding his range of prints.
Over the years he moved from pencil to oils and acrylics. The National Maritime Museum of Australia purchased two of his pencil drawings for their collection. The West Australian Cricket Association commissioned an oil painting of HMAS Sydney II, as part of their ‘Lest we forget’ display. This painting has subsequently appeared in several publications on the Sydney.
Another side of his work includes a large range of illustrations for the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. These adorn promotional material, activity books for kids, signage and even playground equipment.
Darrell now resides in Wellington, New Zealand with his wife and children and continues to produce works for clients around the world.