I was looking out some photos of my paintings and came across the photo of a sketch I did of Ned Ryan in Barbados. It was a hot day and after lunch I painted him for an hour or so while we sat in the shade. I would liked to have spent longer on it but in some ways there is a freshness you get working alla prima which is better than improving the likeness. He was happy with it anyway.
It was great to have a chance to talk to him for a bit, he was such a nice man. I never heard him say a bad thing about anybody, the strongest he ever went was; not one of my favourites. I would like to be more like him in that respect.
His memorial was on the 28th April and I was sad that I couldn’t go that day. I sent one up for him instead.