Mr. Doolittle's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 48

• Mask Magic to the Max

  Funded Jul 31, 2024

  Thank you for providing materials for our mask project. One hundred fifty masks were made this year by students. The masks are durable and, when sprayed with finishing varnish, will last a long time.

  The materials to make the mask are costly. In addition to varnish spray, paint and primer, the plaster gauze and claycrete, which form the base of the mask and sculptural elements, are expensive in the multiples of 150 students.

  Your generosity has enabled me to provide every student with the durable, high-quality materials to create a mask that relates to a culture or expresses their imagination. I love to see the variety of ways that students approach the project and to see how their work reflects their personalities. Thank you for your help.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.

• Bamboo Brush Bonanza!

  Funded Jan 13, 2024

  Thank you for providing my students with replacement bamboo brushes for those that had been broken or worn out. You've also been able to expand the variety of brush sizes for those who like to work with smaller, or larger brushes than I had before. Finally, the newsprint that you provided offers the same properties as rice paper at a fraction of the cost, for practice with the Chinese brush technique.

  The power of the Chinese brush is in its shape. In making bamboo leaves or plum blossom branches, the movement of the bush and the way it is loaded allow the student to make the perfect shape every time because the brush does all the work. It's great for students who feel like they can't draw. The brush makes the shapes for them!

  The slide show I've posted contains images of the plum blossom, which is revered in Chinese brush painting as one of the "Four Gentlemen." We strive to depict the contrasts of dashing new branches emerging from gnarled old growth combines with the promise of tender beatiful blossoms that open when the snow is still on the ground.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

• Lines and Baselines

  Funded Sep 11, 2023

  Thank you so much for providing my students with rulers and mirrors! In the pictures I submitted, you will see perspective drawings made by my students using the rulers. I'm quite proud of their work!

  We had already done the baseline self-portrait by the time the new mirrors arrived - but I am so delighted that their second self-portrait, which they will do at the end of our semester in January, will show so much growth, and with students' permission I will post them on instagram. Please follow my program on instagram @lbhsart.

  Thank you again for your generous support.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 2 other donors.

• Paint A-Plenty

  Funded Feb 16, 2023

  Thank you so much for providing plenty of paint for our painting projects! We have enough paint to last through this year thanks to your generosity.

  Students are always delighted to start painting, as we spend first semester drawing and most of the artwork is in shades of grey (we do use colored pencils from time to time, but not in any structured way).

  A few weeks into second semester, we do chinese brush techniques, which start out in black/white/grey, then introduce red and white for the plum blossom painting and then we get into color theory. It's so exciting for students to begin painting with color! They love to learn to mix paint and are amazed that so many colors can be made with just 5 (the primary colors plus black and white).

  Thanks for providing the gallons of tempera paint that make these esperiences possible for my students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

  This classroom project was brought to life by A Northern California family and 4 other donors.

• Great Big Garden Mural!

  Funded May 12, 2023

  I'm so grateful to you for providing the paint and other materials needed to create a great big garden mural - well, two murals, really! We've covered about 700 square feet of wall, and though the mural is still in process, and can be added to, it does have a mostly finished feeling.

  And so much of that is thanks to Donors Choose! You have provided the primer, the electric paint roller, the dropcloths and spray paint needed to get the project as far as we've gotten it. I'm so proud of what the students have accomplished on the murals and we couldn't have done it without your support. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

• Ink-A-Plink-A Deedle-Dee Dee

  Funded Dec 14, 2022

  Thanks for providing ink and paper for students to do dip-pen and ink drawings and paintings! We added some watercolors to the ink drawings to make the images in the slide show... doesn't ink and watercolor look great together?

  I love seeing what students make... after teaching them a few techniques, I ask them to make a drawing with no parameters. "Use your imagination, draw anything!" The range of responses really show how the interests, curiosities and personalities of the students are so different and each one is unique.

  Thanks for providing students with the supplies needed to make their beautiful self-expressions in pen and ink (and watercolor!)”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

• Sturdy Boards Back Great Grids!

  Funded Nov 22, 2022

  Thanks for providing plenty of sturdy carboard supports for our grid project. You've enabled me to provide each student with their own sturdy backing for a photograph to lay a clear plastic grid on top and secure it with tape for the duration of their project.

  Students were able to reproduce photographs with astonishing accuracy by reducing the image to small abstract squares of the grid. In the slideshow is an example of a mask that allows a student to see an individual square at a time.

  This method has also been used to accurately enlarge images by using larger squares in the drawing paper than are on the source photograph.

  Students amaze themselves with the accuracy of their drawings... if they're able to persevere at patiently drawing one square at a time!

  Thanks for making this project much easier and accessible for all students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

• Drawing Pencil Drawnanza!

  Funded Sep 20, 2022

  Thank you so much for providing the drawing pencils and paper for my students to use to hone their skills! In the slideshow, you'll see masterpieces coming into being in 18x24 format.

  The soft art pencils you've provided in this project supplement the charcoal that donors have given on this site in the past, and enable dark, velvety values without the mess of charcoal.

  And the drawing paper, heavier and larger than the copy paper provided by the school, adds heft to the work of drawing. Thank you for making this experience possible for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.

• Oil Pastels for Drawing and Painting

  Funded Apr 8, 2022

  Thank you so much for providing my students with new sets of water-soluble oil pastels. You've provided enough for a class set plus 15 extras, so that used-up colors can be replaced. I also have sets with more colors for advanced artists to use.

  Pastels are a medium unlike any other. Rich and creamy in texture, the bold and bright colors are easy to blend.

  Most oil pastels are soluble in turpentine, whose fumes can be toxic. These oil pastels are water soluble, so students can safely achieve painting effects with nothing more than a small container of water from the sink and a brush.

  Thanks for providing these safe and effective art supplies for my students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Doolittle

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 6 other donors.