Mushroom tree drawing

Last week we went to the Arboretum in Arcadia to sketch plants. For homework this week we had to do 6 pages of plant sketches and also a "redesign" project, with at least 2 pages worth of ideas for the redesign. I was actually more excited about the 'mushroom houses' idea, but I decided to go with the pumpkin monster since that had more of a 'redesign' aspect to it, instead of using mushrooms/acorns/pinecones just as they were. Also, I realized mushrooms are technically animals and not…

The first time I decided to draw a mushroom, I was sitting outside in my backyard, inspired by the small fungi sprouting after a recent rain. I grabbed my sketchpad and pencil, feeling both excited and a tad overwhelmed. Starting with the basic shape of the mushroom cap was my initial step. It was simpler than I anticipated, which encouraged me to keep going. Next, I sketched the stalk and added some details like the gills beneath the cap. With each stroke, my mushroom began to take on a…

The Outside Story: “When Mushrooms Attack” by Rachel Sargent. Illustration by Adelaide Tyrol. “There was a time in the waters known by the Abenaki peoples as Kwenitegok, “The oyster mushroom: delicious, frequently spotted on veggie pizzas, and predatory. That's right. The hyphae of many fungi, including the oyster mushroom, attack and paralyze prey…”

Drawing idea