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Soap Medallion
Lesson Summary
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, students will design and carve symbolic medallions out of soap, expressing meaningful concepts through relief sculpture. They will plan their designs in sketchbooks, focusing on the artistic use of foreground, middle ground, and background planes. Through careful planning and carving, students will learn the importance of sculpting by removal to create a three-dimensional effect on a flat surface.
Lesson Objectives
Lesson Objectives
Learn and apply basic carving techniques.
Understand circle design principles and their symbolic significance.
Practice relief sculpture by carefully removing material to create depth and dimension.
Express creativity and personal meaning through medallion designs.
Medallions in Europe
Medallions in Europe
Medallions in Europe have a long and rich history. They originated in ancient Rome as commemorative coins celebrating victories and leaders. During the Middle Ages, medallions became religious tokens for pilgrims, often depicting saints or holy places. In the Renaissance, medallions evolved into intricate works of fine art, commemorating rulers, significant events, and social milestones. By the 17th and 18th centuries, medallions were widely used to mark historical achievements and were often integrated into jewelry or awards. Today, medallions remain symbols of art, cultural pride, and historical significance.
Required Materials
Required Materials
Circle-shaped soap bar (Two)
Sharp wooden sticks or toothpicks (for detailing)
Soft paintbrush (for cleaning)
Sketchbook and pencils
Carving utensils (handle with care)
Relief Sculpture
Relief sculptures combine two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements, creating the illusion of raised designs. In Europe, reliefs have been used since ancient Greece and Rome in architecture and coins often depicting rulers and mythological scenes. During the Middle Ages, they adorned churches with biblical stories, while Renaissance artists like Donatello advanced the technique with life like details. Traditionally crafted from ivory, wood, stone, and metal, reliefs remain a timeless art form and can now be created with modern materials like soap.
Circles in Art and Design
Circles are symbolic and versatile design elements, representing wholeness and unity. Their natural occurrence in nature makes them a common feature in symbols, logos, and decorative designs.
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
What is a medallion, and what purposes do medallions serve?
Have you ever received a medal or award? What was it for?
What are some ideas for your medallion design? Will it have a special purpose (e.g., a gift, award, or decoration)?
Why do you think planning is important before starting a carving project?
Teachers Note:
Introduction to Relief Sculpture:
Begin by explaining what relief sculpture is and show examples of medallions and other relief artworks.
Discuss the importance of planning and how to create depth using foreground, middle ground, and background.
Tips for Success
Safety: Ensure students handle carving tools carefully to avoid injury. Avoid touching the face, especially eyes while handling soap.
Take Your Time: Remind students that soap is soft and can break easily if too much is removed at once.
Keep It Simple: Encourage designs that are manageable for carving, especially for beginners.
Mistakes or finishing quickly: Have students work on the back side of the soap to avoid waste.
Tips for Success
Safety: Ensure students handle carving tools carefully to avoid injury. Avoid touching the face, especially eyes while handling soap.
Take Your Time: Remind students that soap is soft and can break easily if too much is removed at once.
Keep It Simple: Encourage designs that are manageable for carving, especially for beginners.
Mistakes or finishing quickly: Have students work on the back side of the soap to avoid waste.
Process
Process
Planning and Designing:
Trace the Soap Shape: In their sketchbooks, have students trace the outline of their soap to create a template for brainstorming.
Brainstorm Ideas: Encourage students to think about themes, such as personal symbols, meaningful patterns, or abstract designs.
Design the Medallion: Finalize the design and clearly define the foreground, middle ground, and background areas. Keep designs simple and manageable for carving.
Mark Depths: Use numbers or shading to indicate the depth of each section on the design.
Transferring the Design:
Use a thin carving utensil or toothpick to lightly outline the design on the soap.
Carving the Soap:
Begin carving slowly, starting with the background (deepest layer) and working forward.
Encourage students to focus on precision and take their time, removing small amounts of soap at a time.
Periodically clean the soap with a soft paintbrush to reveal details and maintain clarity.
Refining the Medallion:
Smooth rough areas with the carving tool or by lightly rubbing the soap.
Add finer details, like patterns or textures, to enhance the design.
If desired, students can use glue to add small decorative elements.
Finishing Touches:
Have students review their sculptures and make final adjustments.
Optionally, polish the soap surface by gently rubbing it with a cloth.
Showcase Creations:
Display completed medallions and discuss the significance behind each student’s design.
Terminology
Terminology
Medallion — A portable artistic object, typically a thin disc with a design. Often commemorative, they're given as awards or worn as jewelry.
Relief Sculpture — Combines features of two-dimensional and the three-dimensional artwork. It gives an impression that the subject has been raised above a flat two-dimensional surface
Foreground — The part of a view in a scene or picture that is nearest to the observer.
Middle ground — The middle distance of a scene or picture.
Background — The part of a scene or picture that is farthest from the viewer
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