 Some 18-19 years ago, I worked as an illustrator for a classical music label and drew scores of drawings of composers. Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Mahler, Stravinsky, Poulenc, Verdi, Rossini, and gobs more. I don’t think I’m that grand at portraiture and that even less of my skill at it back then; but hey, I landed the gig and got paid to get better. So I’ve gone back into my collection and have reworked some of them
Sibelius was one of the earliest assignments I had. The second and third from the left were from those days. The others were recently added.
 
 
Drawn on ledgerbook paper, composition sheets with ballpoint, fountain pen and Pitt Artist Pens.
Really love all the vibrant colors. I always look for your trademark finger print. It seems to pop up in some of the most unusual places.
Don, my friend, if you’re not grand at portraiture, as you put it, then I don’t know who is! One of the many things I admire about your drawings is your ability to capture a person’s likeness in a quirky yet uncanny way. Whatever the label paid you for the gig, it was more than well-earned.
ps: your rendition of Sibelius reminds me of an old Finnish banknote that we used before switching to the euro in 2002. https://www.setelit.com/img/setelit/id828a.jpg
Sam, heartening words. Still giving it what I can and I can say I truly enjoy wrestling with the craft.