Richard Stone has painted portraits of the
Royal Family for nearly three decades. At
the age of 22 he became Britain's youngest
royal portrait artist since Sir Thomas Lawrence
painted Queen Charlotte in 1790 at the age
of 21. Although he has had little formal art
training, Richard Stone's success is a direct
result of a natural talent and a strong determination
to succeed in the career he has pursued since
childhood.
Born in 1951 the son of a Colchester postman,
Mr. Stone began cultivating his talent following
an accident at the age of four that left him
with a fractured skull and permanent deafness
in his right ear. The young artist began sketching
in a notebook and later painted to communicate
with his family and teachers, demonstrating
a keen sense of perspective and mixing colors.
When he was fourteen, Richard went to the
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, where he
saw a portrait by Sir Gerald Kelly. With the
directness that has subsequently characterized
his career, he wrote to Sir Gerald, saying
how much he had admired the portrait and asking
if he could possibly help and advise him.
The result was prompt. Sir Gerald could offer
him all the reasons against being a portrait
painter, but if he would like to call and
see him, and bring his work, he was welcome.
Richard took along what work he had done,
listened to Sir Gerald's reasons, and would
not be dissuaded. It was the start of a friendship
that was to last until Sir Gerald's death
in 1972. learn
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