About this northern boy
Illustrator and designer from North Yorkshire. Now living and working in South West London. Currently working on fantasy and science fiction illustrations and commissions, and working on my first children’s book.
Where to find my drawings
As well as posting work here on my WordPress blog, I upload to Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram, and I’ll frequently post work in progress pics on Twitter.
Mastodon
Tumblr
Facebook Page
Twitter
Instagram
Gumroad
Patreon
I have a Patreon page, where I’ll be posting illustrations and sketches based on my Weird Field spaceships. Supporting me there means I can produce more art, and you get access to unseen work and the opportunity to buy work before anyone else.
Where to buy my work
If you would like to own some original art, drop me a message to talk about a commission.
You can buy prints of my illustrations at Ellipress.
Podcast
Myself and my friend Jon Elliman produce a podcast – North v South, where we talk about design, illustration, art, pop culture, books and films. We also eat and review a pie each episode! You can listen on iTunes or SoundCloud.
Copyright notice
© Rob Turpin and thisnorthernboy, 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rob Turpin and thisnorthernboy with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
this northern boy 
Love your ‘droid work. I have an idea for you to put these into a book format that I would like to pass along. What is the best way? I so wish that I would have stuck with my drawing passion… Thank you!
Hi, feel free to drop me an email at rob@thisnorthernboy.co.uk
Hi man I like your draws and I wanna know if u can some design for a tattoo I want and old pocket clock and a compas with all the mechanic parts includes so tell me if u can do this and how much gonna cost me.
Graphic.joel@gmail.com
I look forward to viewing your artistic droid ramblings…
AnnMarie 🙂
Hi, I’m Brazilian Girl
I have a tatoo wiht your draw! It’s Beautiful!
Would you like see?
Hi, that’s fantastic. I’d love to see!
Thanks. Pleased to have found such a distinctive blog. I’ll be back for more visits. Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox (plugged in now!)
Thanks very much Thom. 🙂
I’d love to see!
Amazing drawings and a unique blog! I’m really enjoying your work.
I love your drawings! Do you have a store setup anywhere to buy prints?
Really amazing work. Your drawings really look “Happy”. Rob, I am interested in one of your amazing art and would love to paint it on my wall. Can I have the permission to use it?
No problem at all Aaron, provided you don’t sell anything you copy. Which piece of work is it you are going to paint?
Your work is enchanting. Thank you for sharing.
I love your style. Have you ever thought of moving into 3D?
Hi Paul, glad you like the work. I haven’t really given it much thought – just because I’d have to start from scratch learning 3D stuff. A few people have made simple CGI versions of some of my robots.
Your robots are very impressive so I can see why but also your scenes have great potential too. Yes, learning a new craft can be daunting. I really think it would add a new dimension to your work – please excuse the pun. In any case, I’m really enjoying what you are posting and glad you are sharing it like this. Thanks.
Amazing work! Curious (as it seemsang others are) if you do tattoo designs for people? Definitely interested. If not totally understand!
Thank you! I haven’t done anything specifically for tattoos, but more than happy to talk about it. Drop me an email – rob (at) thisnorthernboy (dot) co (dot) uk
Looking forward to seeing your work during 2016 Rob. All the very best from a new follower!
Hello Rob,
If you don’t mind I put a link to your recent Discover article on my blog that I just started. You really did give me a bit of kickstart after I read your article. I am trying to get back into drawing and my plan is to improve my illustrations skills this year. If you don’t want me to link to your site simply let me know and I will take it down. Again, I love your artwork. The great variety in linework and use of colors is great. I will continue to follow your blog and read up on your work. Thanks and have a great 2016!
Michael Hernandz
Hi Michael, no problem at all. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Happy New Year.
Hey boy, great work!! I love your hand, your imagination, your fantasy world. How i can buy some of your’s drawings??
Emanuele
Hi Emanuele, really glad you like my work. Currently I don’t have prints available of my work (although I’m sorting that out at the moment) so the only way to own some is to buy or commission an original.
There’s some more info here… https://thisnorthernboy.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/commissions/
[…] among them the excellent “Spaceships” and “Isometricness” illustrations of Rob Turpin (thisnorthernboy) – Check out his blog if you’ve not seen […]
Your isometric art is the coolest stuff on my instagram feed. I’m always excited to see what you post next, and I’m trying to work on/practice some of my own isometric stuff 😀
I’m 44!
Glad you like my work. You should definitely have a go at drawing your own.
Thank you for your inspiration! I love following you and am encouraged by your towns and castles and sea animals. I have recently started doodling, in no small part due to you…so thanks! Here’s wishing you a blessed 2018!
Enjoy Iceland. We went there in winter. https://the-travelling-twins.com/category/destinations/europe/iceland/
I just checked my wife’s blog because we had a drone with us and I thought she had written about flying in cold weather. Seems she didn’t but do look it up it’s worth planning for (eh battery life is shorter, wind is a problem and you needgloves with a magic finger to work on the touchscreen!) There is lots of advice on the web. One best piece of advice from me: Always park your car facing into the wind, so when you open the door it doesn’t get ripped off! Enjoy!
Hi Nick, thanks very much! I’m really looking forward to the trip. I’ve planned to go for years, and originally planned this as a solo trip – until my dad expressed an interest in joining me. Heading there at the beginning of May, and currently the weather looks like being reasonably mild, certainly not freezing or snowing. I definitely need to be aware of the wind, even trying out my drone here on a reasonably calm day it struggle up high where the wind was a little stronger.