Dear Rappers,
Wasn't Rap Point 2 a challenge? We hope you enjoy our response.
We examined "The Violin Man" and found numerous examples of effective visual literacy techniques. After a lengthy discussion, we decided to focus on three techniques.
We are very interested in how the illustrator used size to enhance meaning. For example, when Oscar is slumped in his chair all by himself while covered in pink men, the illustrator has chosen to make Oscar extremely large. The purpose of this is to make the audience focus on Oscar, the main character, and the strong emotions he is feeling.
Another technique used by the illustrator is colour. On the second double page spread, where Oscar is standing in his field of dreams, the colours are vibrant. This helps to illustrate the quality of his dreams and to express his happiness as he escapes into his own world.
Lighting is an additional visual literacy technique and is used by illustrators to elaborate on the text. The most dramatic example in this text is when Oscar is playing alone in the deserted, dark theatre. The illustrator has chosen to make Oscar the main focus by blacking out the background totally and only having a dim light shining down on him. As readers we can feel Oscar's fear, trepidation, loneliness and possibly some hope, in finally fulfilling his dream.
Sometimes books can open ''doorways'' for us into places, situations or experiences we have not had or have only dreamt of. When we looked at the illustration where Oscar returned to Marietta and told her that he wouldn't leave her again, we could really relate to and feel for Oscar who had lost his only companion and dear child. This opened a doorway of experience for us. None of us have had this traumatic experience and the illustrations help us to understand that this situation happens to people every day and that some people cope by imagining that their loved one is still alive and with them constantly.
4/5C Wollondilly Rappers
Wollondilly PS
Newton St
Goulburn
