One of his earliest subjects was Sir Arthur Bliss, the Master of the Queen’s Musick. Following Sir Gerald’s advice, he started knocking on doors in an attempt to find work, and he was successful. With his help and advice, Richard set about becoming a portrait painter. It was the start of a friendship that was to last until Sir Gerald’s death in 1972. Richard took along what work he had done, listened to Sir Gerald’s reasons, and would not be dissuaded. 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. With the directness that has subsequently characterised 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. Then when he was fourteen, Richard went to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, where he saw a portrait by Sir Gerald Kelly. An amateur Essex painter, Heron taught Richard the basics of art. 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 colours.įrom the age of eight, he was actively encouraged by his next door neighbour, Frederick Heron. 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.īorn in 1951 the son of a Colchester postman, Richard 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. 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. Richard Stone has painted portraits of the Royal Family for more than four decades.
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