Soap Carving

Erosion is the process when water and wind (natural elements) gradually wear away the solid earth or rocks. Weathering is changing color and texture by long exposure to air.

Take a look at the Grand Canyon... how do you think this happened and how many years do you think it took?

According to scientists, around 20 million years ago the Colorado River begins to carve into the Grand Canyon. Around 17 million years ago the Colorado Plateau begins to uplift and causes the river to cut deeper.

So its clear that this process takes a LONG time and is a process of taking away or very gradually wearing away at something very solid. With erosion and weathering we don't know how it will look when finished and each path taken by rocks, sand, wind and water is different. And, the rocks and sand displaced scatter and form new terrain.

How about this?! This carving is called Mount Rushmore located in South Dakota.

Did erosion create this or was it man-made?

Does erosion or weathering affect this?

Start from beginning. Stop at 5:00min. Teachers can show again in class while carving, we recommend that students get their soaps and listen quietly while it runs again and they practice.

Project Description:

In this session, we will explore soap carving which is a subtractive (taking away or carving out) type of sculpture similar to the natural erosion and weathering of rocks. This process of carving and taking away soap pieces is a slow process and each new carve changes the art piece. This is not something that can be quickly shaped or changed but this project works best when we follow erosion's example and carve away at a specific shape rather than make one with soap pieces.

Note: Each student receives an ivory soap, paper plate, carving tool, and paper label.

Start to remove the IVORY wording from the soap by gently carving with the flat side of tool (not the point)
Sketch a quick & easy LARGE design using SHAPES on the soap itself or a small paper provided like a face/car/sun/etc. SMALL drawings don't work as well. Need large "fill the soap" top shapes.
Once the sketch is on the soap, then carve or erode away starting from the top part of the soap on the outside first and work toward the lines.

NOTE: If you try to shape soap with hands like clay it will break. You need to carve it out slowly and let the shape come out as you work. Don't break the soap into pieces it won't hold together. Water on a finger can help smooth the carving.

Supplies: