Tom Napper

Freelance animator, illustrator & artist.

Nomadic after an accidental 26 months in NZ

Unmonitored! All my content is on

[Alastair Humphreys @Al_Humphreys]

The most pleasing part of my new book was nothing to do with me!
Thank you @tomnapperdesign for the fun flip book effect. I used to love drawing these in my textbooks at school...
#GirlWhoRowedTheOcean

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Day 33 - Not So Tour Aotearoa

I'm feeling a lot better now I've committed to staying in NZ a bit longer. A combination of my flights being grounded, prioritising my mental health (staying around nature) and being in the very lucky position of being host… https://t.co/rIhIXKwhsA

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

So this is me for the next month! Tomorrow I leave for the adventure of a life time, taking my sketch book down the 3000km Tour Aotearoa.

It's the first time I've ever solo travelled so I'm throwing myself in at the deep end. I feel sick but also excite… https://t.co/dYoEhziKGl

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

I've only gone and illustrated East Hagbourne!

Over Christmas I realised that I'd spent all of last year painting commissions for people and I'd left very little time for personal projects.

This is where I grew up. Thatched cottages. Tudor houses. Big … https://t.co/v1S1y8MOTN

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

I need your tshirts!!
.
.
Spending 3 months drawing 642 tiny things was a great reminder that doing something small every day can really add up.

So I guess I have no excuse not to finish this rag rug I started FIVE YEARS AGO 😭Originally a project to… https://t.co/qAYrBy8R7J

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

New personal project. "East Hagbourne - Ultimate Edition". I've spent a lot of the last year illustrating other people's houses, favourite places etc so it's about time my home village got some attention.

No idea how it's going to work yet. I just know … https://t.co/WhOfbRGQSd

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

642 tiny drawings delivered for Christmas! There was me expecting to get a tear or two from my Aunt but I burst in to tears instead!? Turns out I may have been a little emotionally invested in this project! 😄 Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and ho… https://t.co/VUXMEVKSzv

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

My first published book cover 😊

@splitlipadventures has brought together a gang of first time authors and £1 of every purchase goes the literary charity Read Easy. You can find it on Amazon.

It's fun volunteering design time because you get to dabb… https://t.co/pBbw7lV8OJ

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Come from Hong Kong and now live in London? Moved from London to HK? Just really like cities!? A previous commissionee has kindly let me repurpose her artwork to be on my shop.(thanks, you know who you are!) https://t.co/LgIHtjRjcr

#hongkong #hongkonga… https://t.co/ZCyPoh4s7g

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

"Mind if I draw my bike in the lounge for an hour?" - Three and a half hours later... Nothing like sitting in front of a new toy and drawing all it's nooks and crannies to really get to know it!

@marinbikes @otec_bikes #artist #bikeart #gravelbike #nica… https://t.co/4CkLhlt2t8

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

I'm setting up a @redbubble shop!

Not everyone has the pennies to throw at a custom illustration so I'll be putting together some designs for printing on your own t-shirts, mugs, coasters etc over the coming months. Hit me up with what you'd like to see… https://t.co/WH1tzl1Pto

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

A year ago I met some strangers in a park, cycled to meet 500 more at #yestival2018. I did a little sketch and handed it to a chap called @davecorn... A year a later and I've volunteered as an Ambassador for @theyestribe, designed the merch and gave a ta… https://t.co/YpgBs9sFMl

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Today I was an unfit unicorn. After a year of poking, @emfairey of @theyestribe finally got me to the early morning, energetically happy boot camp that is @project_awesome_london. Or as I prefer to call it "WHO ARE ALL THESE FIT PEOPLE AND WHY ARE WE AWA… https://t.co/T1dhtpDVxU

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Plans for an adventure in the Peaks fell through this weekend but I didn't want to miss out on getting some sketching time in. @bamskin's shiny Honda CX500 was a brilliant model. I really enjoy the state of flow I find when drawing ridiculously detailed … https://t.co/QzWgH3z0dX

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Last month I decided to #sayyesmore and messaged @yvonneankerart to find out how she works as a @gadventures expedition artist. A whatsapp chat later and I learnt she drives power boats, can use a rifle and can save people from open water. Definitely not… https://t.co/9vNTplE5XH

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Sketching forces you to explore off the beaten track and opens you up to random encounters.

This sketch for @coutinhosuzanne required me to judge tide times and wonky weather to find a patch of beach you'd never think to look for. Not exactly a tourist … https://t.co/ceZBNsINJO

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Back on home turf after my Yukon adventure, sleeping off my jetlag. I'll admit, on my third trip to Whitehorse I was worried I'd "done everything". It caught me off guard though. I now have friends and extended family out there who I love to pieces and I… https://t.co/frlPikbJR6

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

There should be a word for the realisation that you're experiencing a moment that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

Last night I was introduced to someone I'd "probably hit it off with" and the result led to a 1:30am northern light hunt. Everyo… https://t.co/aDb3P0fEZC

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Skagway Old Town
This was HARD to draw! The combination of detail and geometric perspective was an absolute killer. It led to some nice roadside chats with the cruise-folk though and I'm really pleased with how it came out.

This signed off our day trip… https://t.co/J6vLC1uJYW

[Tom Napper @tomnapperdesign]

Considering this is on the other side of the planet I'm feeling pretty bloomin lucky to get to draw the SS Klondike for a third time. Each time I've got see how I've improved and each time I've spotted even more details on the thing. Finally got to walk … https://t.co/6luvi8bc0g