ABOUT THIS COURSE
First, bookmark this page so you won’t forget about it, and please don’t share it with anyone, as it’s exclusively for folks who have purchased the course.
What You’ll Learn in this Course
In this course, you’ll learn the basics of mushroom biology and anatomy. You’ll also learn about the characteristics used to identify major groups of mushrooms, with a focus on gilled mushrooms.
This information is meant to help you to more accurately draw and paint mushrooms, and not for the purpose of definitively identifying mushrooms for the purpose of eating them.
Disclaimer
This course is meant for entertainment only and should not be used as your only source to identify mushrooms for the purpose of ingesting. Even widely accepted ‘edible’ mushroom species can be deadly under the wrong circumstances.
As the instructor of this course, I am not a professional mycologist, only an enthusiastic mushroom lover and general naturalist.
If you plan to forage for mushrooms for the purpose of eating them, I suggest you join a local mycological society and attend group hikes and educational presentations. You can find links to mushroom clubs at the North American Mycological Asssociation website.
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES
In this course, I demonstrate using various drawing and painting materials. Each is described in the individual mushroom species workshops. Mostly I am demonstrating with graphite and charcoal pencils, pen, and watercolors. Feel free to use any medium you prefer and don’t worry if you don’t have the materials I am demonstrating, since my emphasis is more on learning about the mushrooms as you draw or paint them rather than mastering any particular art medium. Also, each workshop in this course includes a downloadable handout of images that I suggest you print out and use.
VISIT THE SUPPLIES PAGE ON MY WEBSITE
HANDOUTS
(There are additional handouts associated with each of the video lessons as well)
- Mushroom Coloring Page
- Parts of a Mushroom Handout
- How to make a mushroom spore print
- Pacific Northwest Mushrooms Reference Photos (18-pages so be patient as it downloads)
Mushroom Characteristics Presentation
In this video workshop, you’ll learn all about the many features you need to know in order to identify and sketch the wild mushrooms you find in nature. Download these handouts: Parts of a Mushroom Handout and Mushroom Characteristics Handout then watch the video below.
Freaky Fungi Halloween-themed Presentation
In this Halloween-themed presentation, you’ll learn about some of the most wicked fungi on the planet, including those that are deadly, like the Destroying Angel, and those that just look like they come from outer space, like Stinkhorns, Earth Tongues, and Slime Molds.
Please download your Freaky Fungi Reference Photos and Apricot Jelly Fungus Reference Photo then click on the image below to watch the workshop!
Making Mushroom Spore Prints Presentation
In this presentation, you’ll learn how to make mushroom spore prints. This is a fun and educational activity for folks of all ages, including kids!
You’ll learn about the reasons to make a spore print, what types of mushrooms work best, the materials you’ll need, and some fascinating facts about the fungal kingdom.
Download this handout: How to make a mushroom spore print then watch the video below.
Amanita Mushroom Sketching Workshop
CLICK HERE to download the Amanita images and bonus Amanita Mushroom Reference Photos then watch the video below.
Amanita Painting Workshop
This workshop is a continuation of the previous one, in which we complete a watercolor painting of an Amanita muscaria mushroom. We will first sketch it using the large mushroom on the second page of the Amanita Mushroom Reference Photos handout.
Morel Mushroom Sketching Workshop
In the video workshop below, I’ll introduce you to mushroom biology and then I’ll lead you in a step-by-step drawing demonstration of the edible morel mushroom. Please download your Morel Mushroom Handout, then watch the video below.
Live Mushroom Sketching Workshop
This workshop below was from a casual live online event where I demonstrate sketching several species I found in the Cascade Mountains of central Oregon. It also includes drawing some other things like a succulent plant at the end!
Nature Journaling About Fungi
Download the Nature Journal Page Recipe then watch video below (a live event filmed previously).
Resources to Learn More about Fungi
Below are some books and websites on mushroom identification and biology. If you plan to forage for mushrooms for the purpose of eating them, I suggest you join a local mycological society and also find the most specific mushroom guide to your particular region; i.e. your state or province.
Books on Mushrooms
- All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms. By David Aurora (the classic guide and author that started the mushroom craze!)
- Mushrooms Demystified. By David Aurora.
- Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. By R.M. Davis, R. Sommer, & J.A. Menge.
- Peterson Field Guide To Mushrooms Of North America, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides). By Karl B. McKnight, Joseph R. Rohrer.
- Mushrooms of Northwest North America. By Helene Schalkwijk-Barendsen
- Mushrooms of Cascadia: An Illustrated Key. By Michael Beug.
- Fungi of Temperate Europe. By Thomas Læssøe & Jens H. Petersen.
- Link to MycoWeb website page that lists 100+ books on fungi
Websites on Mushrooms