Two of his portraits-those of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, and Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford-are printed in frames engraved by William de Pass, and it is an indication that early on in his career that Payne cooperated with William de Passe on some projects.
George Vertue wrote on the hearsay of John Sturt, another engraver, that Payne was a wastrel who loved drink more than work and was not reliable.