Meeting Mr Eyton RA

A few years go I went to the Royal Academy Summer Show, and was just leaving when I spotted a rather dishevelled figure standing at an easel in one corner of the courtyard, who I took to be a Sunday painter. I got closer, and could then see a pastel drawing of the RA facade in front of us. I did not recognise the artist, but the drawing was unmistakeable. "You must be Mr Eyton," I said. He beamed at me with pleasure, and I hurried away quickly, to avoid any further embarrassment.