Funguary 2023 Week 1

Hey everyone! I decided to take part in another art challenge and really sticking to it seriously. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to learn about some mycology (my new special interest) and exercise my imagination, which feels really out of shape again.

I made it through 1 week of doing several hours of drawing everyday. I already learned a few new things I can apply to digital painting, like ways to instantly add texture & value to brush strokes without laboriously layering them.

I made a little poll:

Which of these would make good stickers / a nice addition to a sticker sheet? 

I definitely don't think all of the above & have my opinion, but what do you think?

Let's learn about mushrooms:

Cornflower Bolete

- Edible! Just saute them. They taste nutty. They can also be used to make dyes for beiges and browns. They turn a funky bright navy blue when you cut them & expose them to air. It apparently fades though. Unlike many mushrooms that turn blue, these don't contain psychedelic compounds. The are found all over the world in coniferous forests.

Pixie Lichen Cup 

- A tiny mushroom of the northern hemisphere that grows on moss. I've definitely seen it before and I am now convinced it's the inspiration for Shrek's design.

Magpie Inkcap

- Looks very similar to the Shaggy Inkcap and can be brown or tan sometimes. Important to know because it is poisonous. Lives on poop.

Pixie Parasol

- Southern hemisphere - specifically Australia, New Zealand. It has this beautiful shiny cyan cap. Inedible.

Hairy Mycena

- Grows in Booyong, Australia. Inedible, gives food poisoning symptoms. The little hairs repel insects.

Elegant Blue Webcap

- Found in Southern Australia in eucalypt forests. No info on whether it's edible, however it's apparently tasteless.

Podoserpula Pusio 

- Another mushroom from Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar. They grow on stumps, decomposing grass and wood, and grow pillars of stacked caps.