Diepraam became a popular painter of small genre works, and sold many of these himself informally in taverns, where Houbaken clearly felt he also spent all of the proceeds on brandywine.

[1] In a rare comparison to the work of Frans Hals, Houbraken claimed that Diepraam's style later in life reflected his lifestyle, and his brush strokes did not even melt together, but were loose lines without connection.

[1] Though Hals changed his style with disconnected brush strokes during his later years (this is what impressionist painters such as Vincent van Gogh admired the most about him), Houbraken claims he did this as a great master of the art, while Diepraam was just drunk.

This would explain why Houbraken formed his bad opinion, since like many of his contemporaries, Diepraam fell on hard times when the economic downturn spoiled the market.

Houbraken was much more complimentary over Diepraam in his biography of his pupil Wulfraet, claiming his works sold well in Arnhem and he was a good teacher for the young boy.