Born in Middlesex, he is married to the painter Diana Armfield.  He studied at the Byam Shaw School of Art and then at the Slade.  His reputation has owed much to his intimate interiors and nude studies reminiscent of the Degas and Sickert tradition.  A much respected painter he has justifiably an enthusiastic following.  He was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1968 and his work is held in important public collections.