My Friend Koko ; Artist Richard Stone has Created Acclaimed Portraits of the Queen, the Queen Mother and Nancy Reagan, but Nothing Could Prepare Him for His Latest Subject: A 22-Stone Gorilla...

Summary

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I had been thoroughly briefed before meeting my subject: don't touch her; don't stare at her; definitely do not meet her gaze. Although rarely nervous when I set out to paint a portrait, on this occasion I did feel some trepidation.

She sat waiting for us in her living quarters.

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My Friend Koko ; Artist Richard Stone has Created Acclaimed Portraits of the Queen, the Queen Mother and Nancy Reagan, but Nothing Could Prepare Him for His Latest Subject: A 22-Stone Gorilla...

I avoided looking directly at her but could see she was gazing intently at me. I sat down slowly on the veranda, avoiding sudden movements, and Dr Penny Patterson introduced us. 'This is Richard Stone from England and he is going to draw you. You remember? We showed you his pictures.' Before arriving I had sent a catalogue of my work. On its cover was my 1992 portrait of the Queen in ceremonial scarlet robes, and it had obviously made an impression on my latest sitter.

Koko stood, picked up her red blanket and draped it across...

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