Daily Sketch: An Aye-Aye For Micheline Hess

This is an Aye-Aye for Micheline Hess. Part of my self-challenge to draw more animals that I don't normally draw; thanks to those who made suggestions!

I took on the Aye-Aye because I had no idea what it was. Apparently it's a type of lemur that is native to Madagascar. When I looked through Google images of the creature, I felt creeped out at first but then sympathetic. I mean, just look at it! It's almost as if Nature starting creating something really cute but then changed its mind halfway through. Or got distracted.

Art Challenge Animals I've drawn so far: Giraffe, porcupine, otter.

Daily Sketch: Otters for Harold Underdown

I recently asked Facebook friends for suggestions of animals to draw. Part of my personal challenge is to start doodling animals I don't normally draw, to keep me from getting in a rut. These otters are for Harold Underdown.

Daily Sketch: Porcupines for Troy Cummings

I recently asked Facebook friends for suggestions of animals to draw. Part of my personal challenge is to start doodling animals I don't normally draw, to help keep me from getting too complacent. These porcupines are for Troy Cummings.

Porcupines are so fun to draw! I love wild spines.

Daily Sketch: A Giraffe For Ginger's Daughter

I tend to draw more people than animals in my Daily Sketches. To keep from getting into a rut, I'm going to start doodling more animals…and I recently (today) asked for suggestions on Facebook. So here's a giraffe for Ginger's daughter:

As part of my personal challenge, I'm also going to look up reference images of the animal to make sure I don't just whip off the default cliché doodle of the animal. Wow, giraffes really are bizarre-looking, aren't they?

THANK YOU to Justin Chanda and Simon & Schuster Children's for taking a chance on a newbie

I'm about to head out to find a print copy of The New York Times (which includes I'm Bored in its Notable Children's Books Of 2012, yaaay!), but want to post a special thank you to Justin Chanda and Simon & Schuster Children's first.