This is the "subtractive" form of carving. Like in subtraction, the bar of soap is as large as it is going to be, and we "take away" bit and pieces. We are left with a smaller bar.
But, first you need to know that another name for these carved bars is called: forms
Look at the picture to the right
We see "forms" of students who appear to be saying the pledge of allegiance. this is not a picture of them. These "forms"are made out of material that you can touch! we call this an example of 3-dimensional art
now, let's explore how we are going to work with creating forms out of a bar of soap
Parts that have been carved away, change the form of the bar the new open areas are examples of ....negative space!
The Heart below appears to "stand out" from the rest of the bar The heart is an example of positive space think about it.....there was once soap just as high as the heart....in all directions! But those areas have been carved away. We say that these areas are examples of negative space
negative space can be seen in the examples above and below. note the stars that were carved into the bar above. and nicole, carved her name into the bar as well. the area where we see her name...is another example of ....negative space
Check out the carved bar below. it functions as a tissue box!
Students at work carving their bars. They are "subtracting" This is because they are taking a bar and making it smaller by taking out parts of the bar. The finished bar is smaller than the original bar. And, because they of the carving, the result are things that we can recognize
Here is a creative idea! Take pieces from another bar, and put them together to make a carved car!!
Down below you see an elephant's foot, and a raised smiley face .......using positive and negative space makes this all possible
Check out these beautiful carvings from Emily L @ NW school in 2014