The Common Sketcher is a place that enables you to discover your potential in drawing and painting. It is for those who have never tried before but always wanted to. It is for those who are frustrated when they have tried. It is for those who are looking to strengthen and improve their skills. It is for those who are seeking to grow and explore new areas. I include myself in the last category because, as Albert Einstein stated, "The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know." The truth is, I can still find myself in any of these categories at different times because, in the end, we are all students.
My name is Glenn Tait. Over the course of my thirty-plus years working as a graphic designer, illustrator, art director, and workshop instructor I observed that anyone who can read and write already has the skill set to draw and paint. Hundreds of workshop students have proved this to me time and again.
I named this blog "The Common Sketcher" for several reasons. "Common" because I believe that drawing should be as common an act as reading and writing, and "Sketcher" because people are less intimidated by the process of sketching. A sketchbook is a safe place to explore, discover and learn things. With sketching, there is not an expectation to create a "masterpiece" nor a concern to be "perfect". This type of freedom makes it easier to learn, to leave something unfinished, or to turn the page and start anew.
The content in my posts will encompass targeted instruction, tips or hacks about various materials and methods, information on artists, and more. These posts are process-oriented in structure, meaning that they are written to be practical and applicable to all learning levels. So whether you are a beginner or a more seasoned professional, you will find something along the way to benefit you in your work.
Articles will be posted most Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am looking forward to your questions and comments in the days and months ahead.
