This is a sketch of Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) using a 20" f/5 Newtonian and a 13mm Ethos, as it appeared visually on Oct. 8, 2013, in the early morning before dawn. I used a red backlit tablet with tracing paper, to sketch the comet's appearance in Leo, and I was prepared to do a color sketch. The comet was very faint, so that I passed over it on the first search attempt. I could not detect any significant color visually, only a ghostly glow. There was the slightest hint of a streak above the comet toward the South. Also, one star appeared brighter than expected (relative to a star chart), GSC 1411:521. Observed visually for about 1/2 hour before twilight began.