Year 6 Students Learn about Art from Dub Leffler

The Year 6 girls were most fortunate in gaining a wonderful insight into the world-renowned children’s author and illustrator, Dub Leffler’s artmaking and writing practice. Dub is a descendent from the Bigambul people of South-West Queensland and underpinning most of his work is a strong connection with First Nation Country, Australian flora and fauna and our natural environment. He reflected upon his termed ‘journey of drawing’ and the constant need to engage in scientific and drawn research of the animal form. He focused particularly on the importance to documenting the immediate everyday world with detailed drawings and written notations within an art diary. His in-depth knowledge of animals enabled him to outline many of their unique adaptations. This knowledge, Dud explained, creates narratives, connections, and opportunities to springboard new creative directions in his writing and illustrations. The girls were tutored in the importance of mark making techniques in drawing and skills in watercolour painting. He further shared his upcoming illustrations for his upcoming 25^th title to us alone, which was the most fortunate experience indeed.

The girls made many encouraging comments about the day.

‘When Dub Leffler came he taught us how to draw ferns and draw faces. It was an amazing experience that the whole grade enjoyed.’ – Chantel Huda (Year 6)

‘I thought it was very interesting how he is ambidextrous and could draw with both hands which made it symmetrical.’ – Angelyn Xiang (Year 6)

‘I enjoyed our lesson with Dub Leffler very much, and I was very impressed with his way of teaching us. I enjoyed learning how to do a contour line and how to watercolour.’ – Audrey Sivyer (Year 6)

‘Dub Leffler showed us how to draw and the process of creating a book. I can’t believe that one of his books took four years to write.’ – Audrey Lazar (Year 6)

‘My favourite activity was drawing with both of our hands on each side of the paper.’ – Larissa Pham (Year 6)

‘Dub Leffler gave us a special insight of how illustrators and authors made books with materials and figures for references to draw. I really enjoyed learning how to make continuous line artwork.’ – Anny Xie (Year 6)

‘Dub helped me understand that there are no mistakes in art. He also helped me learn how to draw faces better.’ – Emma Cardwell (Year 6)

– Amber Bidwell, Jan Falls, Rebecca Putna, Michelle Wyatt and Lesley Snelgrove

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