Introduction
Mushrooms have been a popular subject in art for centuries, gaining even more prominence in the 20th century with the rise of modernism. Artists began to move away from replicating reality and started to explore their own interpretations and perceptions. The unique shapes, colors, and textures of mushrooms make them an intriguing subject for artists, particularly those aiming for a realistic approach. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of drawing a mushroom step by step.
Tutorial Overview
What you’ll learn:
- Basic Shapes of a Mushroom
- Drawing a Mushroom
- Shading and Detailing a Mushroom
Materials Needed
To complete this tutorial, you’ll need:
- A piece of paper
- A 2H graphite pencil
- A 4B graphite pencil
- A blending stump
- An eraser or a kneaded eraser
- A Tombow Mono Zero 2.3mm
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Draw three straight lines
Understanding the basic structure of a mushroom is essential for accurate drawing. Start by drawing three straight lines of varying sizes to represent the mushrooms. It’s recommended to use a small, medium, and large size for a well-balanced composition.
Step 2: Draw the top structure
On top of each line, draw hat-like shapes that correspond to the height of each mushroom.
Step 3: Draw three ellipses
Draw three ellipses, one for each mushroom. These ellipses will help you define the inner and outer parts of the mushroom body and determine their inclination and angle.
Step 4: Draw the stalk
Using your eraser, lightly erase the structure lines to use them as a guide. Then, draw the stalk for each mushroom.
Step 5: Draw the upper part of the caps
Using curved, organic lines, draw the cap of each mushroom. Keep in mind that smaller mushrooms have rounder caps, while larger ones have flatter caps.
Step 6: Draw the base of the caps
Complete the caps by referring to the ellipses drawn in step 3.
Step 7: Draw the ring
Draw a thin structure called the ring, which often hangs under the mushroom cap. Use a curved rectangle as a reference for the base and multiple small lines for the top, as they connect the gills to the ring.
Step 8: Add some details
Add details to the ring and hint at the lines of the gills. Correct any mistakes and prepare for shading and further detailing.
Step 9: Add some grass
Enhance the drawing’s realism by completing the curved mushroom base and adding grass around it. Remember that the grass around mushrooms will likely be similar in size or even longer than the mushrooms themselves.
Step 10: Shade the stalk
Using a 2B pencil, gently shade the mushrooms’ stalks with soft movements. This will be the initial layer of graphite.
Step 11: Add contrast to the stalk
With a 4B pencil, add contrast to the sides, base, and ring area of the stalk. Darken the bottom the most, as it is in constant contact with the ground.
Step 12: Shade the ring
Softly shade the mushroom’s ring using a 2H pencil, emphasizing the borders and the bulbous base. Then, use the 4B pencil to add additional contrast to the ring, as it will likely be in the shadow of the cap.
Step 13: Shade the base of the cap
Fill the base with a soft layer of graphite using a 2B pencil. Then, draw the lines that represent the mushroom’s gills using a 4B pencil.
Step 14: Add contrast to the base of the cap
Use a 4B pencil to add more contrast to the base of the cap. Darken the gills and add depth to the base outline. Focus on darkening the center, as it receives less sunlight.
Step 15: Shade the cap
Start shading the cap using a 2B pencil. Make the shading uniform for the first layer. For the second layer, add more volume by shading the sides and the horizontal middle section slightly more.
Step 16: Detail the gills
Sharpen your 4B pencil to create a fine tip. Use strong and fine lines to detail the gills of the mushroom.
Step 17: Add some spots
Add characteristic spots on the mushrooms to mimic dirt and sun exposure. Concentrate these spots more on the base of the stalk, near the ground. You can refer to the diagram below or create your own pattern.
Step 18: Start drawing the grass
Take a blending stump and apply a small amount of graphite to it. Use the stump to create long, soft lines following the shape of grass in the background.
Step 19: Add contrast to the grass
Repeat the previous step, but this time, apply more pressure and graphite at the tip of the blending stump. Tilt the stump slightly to add the ground texture as well.
Step 20: Add details to the grass
To add another layer of realism, use a Tombow Mono Zero eraser to lift some graphite and create the illusion of grass. Follow the direction of the grass to achieve a natural look.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the tutorial on drawing mushrooms. We hope you’ve learned something new and that you’ll apply it in your future artistic endeavors. Drawing is a wonderful way to express your creativity and emotions visually, and anyone can do it! Until next time, happy drawing!
