Visual representations

Visual representations

Student activities

Task no. 1

A picture book

View the gallery of illustrations for the picture book ‘Waltzing Matilda’ found in the State Library of NSW collections. Click here to find the gallery.  

Task no. 2

Download resource (465.68 KB)

Analysis of visual features

For this part of the lesson, view the Visual Analysis pdf by clicking  "download resource" on the left-hand side. 

Discuss the sample analysis, then form small groups. Each group is assigned an image from the PowerPoint slide to analyse and present to the class. Groups can use A4 paper (white or colourful) to make annotations which can be blue tacked to the projected image during their presentation. The focus should be on the following visual features: 

  • colour 
  • framing 
  • salience 
  • gaze 
  • reading path 
  • vectors  

Extension: Compare and contrast visual features in the earlier illustrations with those towards the end of the story. Strong differences in colour are notable.  

Task no. 3

Become an illustrator

Look at your original poem from your poetic duel in Activity 1. Use the visual techniques you analysed (colour, framing, salience, reading path and vectors) to create your own illustration to accompany your poem.