Sometimes a single detail is all it takes to spark an idea.

When I first saw the reference photo for this penguin, I couldn’t stop looking at those feet. They instantly reminded me of a favorite animated movie I’d seen years before, and from that moment on I couldn’t help but imagine this little penguin breaking into a dance.

Once that thought settled in, there was no going back. Every time I looked at the photo, those tiny feet seemed ready to tap out a rhythm all their own.

Fun Fact: Penguins may look like they’re waddling, but that little side-to-side walk actually helps them conserve energy as they travel across land.