Tom Thomson was a Canadian artist of the 20th century. He directly influenced the group of painters known as the group of seven. He was not a member of the group, since he died before it was formed. Thomson was born in Ontario and grew up in Leith, Ontario. His landscapes reflect his appreciation of the Canadian wilderness. Thomson was mostly self taught. He learned to draw and paint as a child, but did not become serious until his thirties. The Canadian wilderness was a major source of his inspiration.

His early adulthood may appear unstable. He became a machinist's apprentice in 1899, but was fired for habitual lateness. He was turned down by the military due to health problems. He worked as a fire ranger. He enrolled in business college, then left to attend the college his brother ran in Seattle. He returned to Canada in 1904, settling in Toronto.

He began a successful career as a graphic designer after his return to Canada. He was influenced by Art Nuveau and Arts and Crafts movements, and was exposed to these movements as a graphic artist. He worked in several firms, including Group, LTD, where several future members of the group of seven also worked. He started at Rous and Mann in 1912, along with some future group of seven members.

Thomson first visited Algonquin Park in 1912. After his visit, he often traveled with colleagues around the Canadian wilderness. In Algonquin Park he started producing small sketches inspired by other artists who did the same. These sketches were later expanded into paintings. Many of his sketches are considered works in themselves.

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