This page and the surrounding several sketchbook pages are mostly examples of quick sketches doodled with ballpoint pen on 11 x 17 paper at Anime Festival Orlando 8.

More doodles.

Of note is the sketch in the lower left-hand corner of Nichole (a.k.a. demonlover_11). She and her friends stopped by our booth several times throughout the three days of the convention. I had a great time talking with them. One of the girls’ moms even came by the booth on Sunday(?) and took pictures of all of us. I want a copy of those pictures. J

Midway through Saturday, Nichole was alone and decided to drop by the booth. She seemed tired. She asked to sit down and I made no objection. I didn't have a seat for her so she made herself comfortable on the ground. Nothing too unusual about that. At an anime con the ground is where you'll find most of the people sitting.

Things were kind of slow at the booth. I kept myself busy by sketching convention goers as they passed by. Looking down from my seat, Nichole was sitting there next to me. Unlike the crowd she was close by and stationary. I saw the perfect opportunity to sketch someone in detail.

It's a strangely intimate affair drawing someone. Lindsay's been doing face sketches at conventions for years now. She's told me time and time again how uncomfortable it can be having to stare at someone's face for minutes while they stare back at you.

In this case, I wasn't staring Nichole in the eyes. She was mostly busy looking at other things, but still I'm sure she knew I was sketching her. How can you not know when someone two feet away is glancing at you every other second and then taking notes on their observations?

The act of sketching someone so close felt pretty uncomfortable. It also didn't help that the subject of my sketch was wearing a revealingly open kimono top.

Midway through my sketch, Nichole, also an artist, started following my lead. She pulled out a sketchbook and started sketching me. That was a new experience. I've never sat for a sketch before. It was funny to learn that it’s equally uncomfortable to be the subject of a sketch. Uncomfortable but in this case, charming.

Nichole is really nice girl. I'll never forget the quiet and thoughtful person I met at the con. Thanks for the memories (and the lychee flavored ramune soda J ) Nichole. See you at the next con.