I’ve had the privilege of meeting the great Ralph Steadman on a number of occasions. One of the three British S’s – Gerald Scarfe and Ronald Searle being the other two – of the satirical drawing trinity. I was strongly influenced by his style and his content – exaggerated, distorted, splattered, sharp, gritty and irreverent. Indeed it was Steadman and Jethro Tull who shaped parts of me during my formative years.

On New Year’s day, 1989 I visited Ralph at his home in the village of Loose, a couple of miles south of Maidstone in Kent. Initially reluctant to have visitors, due to the previous squatters – a couple of Spaniards who camped on his front lawn for an age. I told him I was short, so I would only take up a short amount of time. Three hours later I emerged with reams of notes for my newspaper article, signed books and posters and some great photos. He generously produced some artwork for a New Zealand children’s cancer charity I was involved in.

My wife suggested that I draw Ralph and get him to sign it. I always think it’s kinda weird, sketching artists and getting them to sign your artwork, but they’re entertainers like the others, so why not?

He was attending a Q+A after the screening of his documentary For No Good Reason – narrated by Johnny Depp – at the Curzon Soho in London. Friday night, 6.30pm screening, no other collectors or dealers circling, no dramas.

It must have been a long day… nay, week for Ralph. The Curzon people were also trying to tell me to wait until after the event to ask for an autograph. When I approached him as he arrived I made small talk about previous encounters, blah blah blah. Not a good idea. Skip intros and get straight to the point. Would he sign my sketch? I showed him and he agreed. Find a flat surface.

“Sorry, I’m tired,” he warned. He could remember the day and month, but not the year, hence the correction. As a parting gesture he inked in the pupils of his eyes. How metaphorical. I shook his hand, thanked him and bid him adieu.

Now I only have to get Johnny to ‘graph it.