106113 - INTRODUCTION TO ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Juan José Pons López

Trimester: First term

Credits: 4

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 1

• Spanish
• Catalan

Classes will be taught in Catalan and/or Spanish. Some content and resources may be presented in English.

In Introduction to artistic expression, a subject in the subject of Artistic Creation, students they will learn to use drawing as a method of expression and communication. From sketching a character to designing a freehand perspective scenario or defining a storyboard that tells a cinematic of the game. The course consists of lectures, video capsules and presentations, and case studies.

For the correct functioning of the subject as well as its correct continuous evaluation, You need to obtain certain materials for class:

• sketch pad Brand proposal: Guarro. Size A4.
• Drawing materials: eraser, pencil, several pens of different colors, pencils of different hardnesses (from H2 to B9). If you do not need all the degrees of hardness, at least the following will be required: H2, HB, B2 and B8 and blue and red drawing pencils.
• Graphite.
• It is possible that some additional material will be specified during the course.

Information regarding the classroom:

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, either towards students or teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer the prejudices of others.

Topic 1. Introduction to art direction: applying creativity

            1.1. References VS. plagiarism

            1.2. How to be creative

            1.3. Search for references

            1.4. Aesthetic justification

Topic 2. Creation and representation: the landscape, the environment and the design of scenarios.

2.1. Natural landscape drawing.

2.2. The perspective.

2.3. Define the aesthetic rules of a world and its objects.

2.4. Quick color sketching techniques.

Topic 3. Communication and expression: from the sketch to the creation of characters.

3.1. Freehand drawing: the importance of sketching and quick notes.

3.2. The morphology of the human figure

3.3. Space and volume. Graphic composition.

3.4. Notes and representation of actions and movement.

Subject 4. Sequences and action: the storyboard and the figurative narration.

4.1. Analysis of great authors of the storyboard.

4.2. Blocking and kinematic sequences.

4.3. Camera shots.

4.4. Character and stage drawing as a whole.

The subject is assessed based oncontinuous evaluation. 

The practices of the subject involve a continuous assessment that corresponds to a total of 50% of the final grade. The remaining 50% corresponds to the final exam. The practices are divided according to the following criteria:

A1. Exercise: Creating a world: sketches, illustration 10%

A2. Exercise: Creation of a main character: sketches and poses for action  10%

A3. Work in group: Storyboard of a cinematic sequence 30%

A4. Final Exam: 50%

Final note: A1 0,1 + A2 0,1 + A3 0,3 + A4 0,5

Rules for carrying out practical activities:

At each activity, you will be informed of the regulations to be followed, and of the particular conditions that govern them. Completing the internship is mandatory. Punctuality and rigor in the delivery of the different activities will be assessed as follows:

• Formats other than those required will not be accepted.
• Late work will not be accepted.
• Assignments not submitted through the subject campus will not be accepted.

- Any of these three incidents will automatically affect the qualification. NOT SUBMITTED, (that is, accounting 0 with respect to the final qualification of the sum of the different activities). If any of the practice or follow-up activities are not carried out, it will be considered NOT PRESENTED.

- The assessable activities A1, A2 and A3 will have a part of creativity that must be approved in order to be eligible to pass the calculation of the exercise. If this part is suspended, only the creative part will be evaluated and counted.

Final exam considerations:

It is necessary to obtain a mark higher than 5 in the final exam to pass the subject.

Considerations for recovery:

- It is necessary to obtain a mark superior to 5 in the final exam of recovery to pass the asignatura.

- The mark of the resit exam will be applied only to the mark of the A4 activity.

- Regardless of the grade obtained in the retake exam, the final grade for the subject may not exceed 5.

Other considerations:

- Any form of academic fraud will be sanctioned in accordance with the center's evaluation regulations. If signs of fraud are detected, including the improper use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the subject's teaching staff may call the student for an individual interview with the aim of verifying their authorship.

- It is the responsibility of the student to avoid plagiarism in all its forms. In the case of detecting a plagiarism, regardless of its scope, in some activity it will correspond to have a note of 0. In addition, the professor will communicate to the Head of Studies the situation so that measures applicable in matter of sanctioning regime are taken. .

Halligan, F. (2015). The art of movie storyboards: Visualizing the action of the world's greatest films. Lewes: Ilex Gift.

Loomis, A. (2012). Creative illustration. London: Titan Books.

Rinzler, JW (2014). Star Wars storyboards. Harry N. Abrams.

Hogarth, B. (1996), Dynamic figure drawing, Watson Guptil Publications

Gurney, J. (2009). Color and Light - A Guide for the realist painter. Andrews McMeel Publishing.

http://www.safestyle-windows.co.uk/secret-door/

http://www.posemaniacs.com/

http://www.osfcostumerentals.org/stock/index.html