Five-in-a-Row: Mushroom Anatomy & Spore Prints (Children of the Forest)

 

As I asserted we wouldn't be eating any forest foraged mushrooms, we purchased a variety from the grocery store for examination and consumption. Also, for spore printing!

Super easy and quick, select a variety of mushrooms. The ones that have darker gills yield the best results. Peel away any edges that prevent the gills from getting up close and personal with the paper. Flip the caps, gill side down, onto the paper and cover completely with a bowl. Allow to rest overnight, before uncovering your spore prints. Label.

Next we visited Art Hub for a quick guided sketch of a mushroom. Art Hub is packed with tutorials for most topics under the Sun! My reluctant artists are drawn to (no pun intended!) his step-by-step instructions, his children that work alongside with their versions of the work and the great results that boost confidence.

Once drawn, we added some anatomy to practice writing and labeling (in small doses!)