Public Freak, or Artist?

So our first assignment is to go out in public and sketch people. I mean really observe everything about them. Give them a cold, hard, icy stare for a prolonged period of time, if you will....then frantically scribble in a little black book. Repeat. Now, this may make some people uncomfortable, for whatever reason, but it's a necessary part of animation. Here are a few tips to help lessen the awkward moment that is accidental eye-contact with an unhappy face.

1. Pretend you were looking at their food (if applicable). If in ear-shot, mumble something about being hungry and quickly walk into nearest fast food restaurant. DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT! ask for a bite of theirs.

2. Immediately relax your eyeballs as if you are looking into one of those "magic-eye" posters. Then smile and wave. Hopefully the subject waves back at you in a confused, reflex reaction. At this point, pretend you didn't see them wave, and walk directly past them in the direction of your original wave. They'll be so embarrassed for intercepting a wave not intended for them, that they'll forget about the whole staring/scribbling thing. Now who's the freak!?? Haha!

3. (This is more of a preventative measure.) If you have a dog, bring her with you and adorn her with a lovely little jacket that says "Seeing eye dog," after all, blind people can't stare... or can they?