Van Dyke's Sketchbooks/Projects

Concept Art for Short Film

2011-01-24T00:01:00.001-08:00

Here are a few conceptual sketches for the short film "Green Bandits" currently (Jan. 2011) in production.

More Bruises...and Wounds

2010-12-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

These are makeup designs I did that were taken on the set of 'The Green Bandits' - a heist film with a need for bruises.

Bruise and Wound Make-Up Party

2010-10-17T09:38:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this is not exactly cartoon illustration or storyboards. Here is an example of some wound makeup I designed just for practice. I like the idea of making the flesh look like it's peeling. How's THAT for apPEAL? Ha! Ok, I get it...stupid pun.

"Crosses" Storyboards

2009-11-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

These are some storyboard sketches I created for a few sequences in a short film called "The Crosses".

The film begins with some wide shots of San Rafael at night - first from a distance, then closer in (but still wide) of rooftops. Ahh.. upscale suburbia! Wide shot (using jib or crane) as an Audi pulls into the long driveway leading up to the mansion. Insert from driver's POV as we see the Toyota car already parked in front of the house. WS of mansion as car finishes parking. MCU as driver's door opens, legs swing out of the car and we jib up following Sharon, as she exits car. She calls after her daughter Nicole as we dolly back, Sharon enters kitchen, puts down her bag. POV over-the-shoulder of Sharon as she hears the pool party and exits the kitchen to the pool. WS as Sharon sees couples making out in the hot tub and pool (MCU inserts). WS reverse angle showing Sharon as she leaves to go back inside.

Meanwhile, (MS) Nicole and her boyfriend are making out in the bathroom. MCU as Sharon opens door. MS of Nicole and boyfriend separate revealing boyfriend's aroused state. Embarrassed, MCU of boyfriend's hands covering himself as he turns to face Sharon. Finally, a wide shot revealing the entire situation.

The last very short sequence is represented in the last six panels. First we see (MCU) Nicole answer the door and greet Frank. An over-the-shoulder MCU of Nicole as they converse. MCU of Martin and Sharon as they go to greet Frank with Sharon leaving the frame as camera moves back to capture Martin's reaction. Wider shot as Sharon greets Frank with Nicole reacting. Martin rushes in to greet Frank. Finally a wide shot from above showing all four at the door, with Nicole moving slightly away to survey the scene.

"Impulsion" Storyboards

2009-11-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some storyboard sketches I completed for the short film 'Impulsion'. It's the murder sequence that begins the film. The first image reads as two columns beginning with the rectangle at the upper left. The shots are as follows: (Wide Shots), a street at night, a shadow creeps across the screen, it's a woman walking alone, she turns the corner to go up the stairs, (Medium Close Up) she carries some groceries and we can see a grapefruit, we track her footsteps and she hurries home....Various closeups of her putting the key in the door, hanging up her coat, latching the door closed, removing grapefruit from bag and pressing button on her answering machine... She notices the open window... Then closeups of a flash of a knife, her terrified look as she gets stabbed, and finally the grapefruit falls off the counter and rolls onto the floor as we hear her struggle end and her body fall.

Short Illustration Flick

2009-06-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

I put together a compilation of illustrations, ready for viewing in this short film.

If film does not display properly, double-click through and watch it on YouTube site.

Spectrum FCU Music Video

2009-06-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Spectrum FCU Employee Appreciation Week: I wrote, directed, produced, and edited this music video for Spectrum FCU. It's purpose was to show appreciation for all employees by writing lyrics mentioning all employees by their first names - then have the senior team of the company sing and star in their music video. The actual shoot was over a two-day period, guerilla-style, approximately 3-4 hrs. per day. It was received well by the company. NOTE: These are not professional singers/actors and I understand it's a little 'pitchy' - but still fun! (NOTE: To avoid low-res and incomplete imaging, double-click image below and play thru YouTube site; be sure to select 'HQ' for hi-res playback.)

Earful Moment: Just Puttin' A Silly Audio Clip Here

2009-05-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

Burning Man 2008 p. 3

2008-10-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

Two guys wandered into Center Camp around two in the afternoon. It was absolutely incredible! They were dressed in a fully articulated camel costume with the muscle groups (particularly around the legs) fully defined via soft sculpture techniques. The camel was able to bend its neck to lower its head, open its mouth, flick its ears and in general, move like a camel. It reminded me of the articulated puppet costumes from the stage version of 'The Lion King'.

When the guys in the camel costume made their Center Camp entrance, people initially stopped what they were doing and applauded. The effect was stunning. Then they went about their Center Camp business somewhat. You can see how great the camel moves in the YouTube links below. I imagine I am somewhere in the Center Camp video but can't find myself.

Burning Man 2008 p. 2

2008-10-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

So one day I settled down at Center Camp (the goings-on of which reminds me a little of the Cantina scene in the original 'Star Wars') to sketch and paint, when I see one of the funniest things that day - two nude guys just walking and talking and having a cup of coffee, each one bearing a sign; the younger guy's sign reading 'Before' and the older guy, "After'. I laughed out loud.

Burning Man 2008 p. 1

2008-09-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Keeping a sketch journal at Burning Man can be a challenge. The heat will dry up your fountain pen in a New york minute so using a felt tip pen (permanent ink if doing a watercolor) is mandatory. I used a Penstix no. 3013-EEF 0.3mm that I purchased at Blick Art Materials on Van Ness in SF. Plus with the occasional dust storm, the gypsum can gum your watercolor pans.

The sketch is of the man. The theme for this year was the American Dream. The design shows the man on top of an obelisk which displayed images of flags of different nations. Participants were encouraged to climb the interior staircase and survey the different views of Black Rock City. I think the man stood over 80 feet high from head to the bottom of the obelisk.

Cruise: MS Amsterdam (Holland America)

2008-05-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Recently, in conjunction with my work, my wife and I found ourselves on the MS Amsterdam (Holland America) on our way to Victoria and Vancouver, BC. While onboard, I sketched this woman who was hammering away on her keyboard in the ship's library. Fountain pen and ink, hand•book artist sketch journal (toothy surface).

MTV Guy: Pen and Ink

2008-04-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

I often have my sketchbook open when I watch TV. In this case, I was watching some MTV program and this one guy with a big nose and slumpy posture caught my attention. Fountain pen and ink, moleskine sketchbook.

New Sketch Blog

2008-04-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

In this blog, I'll publish select pages from my sketchbooks from time to time. Feel free to comment, I appreciate the feedback.