There is a particular type of shelf fungus growing around here in the woods that I call an Artist’s Fungus, also known as Ganoderma applanatum, the artist’s conk. Artists have been drawing on these for many years. I found some contemporary examples by Corey Corcoran that are weirdly cool:
This is an ephemeral medium-if you don’t etch them quickly they harden and are no longer workable.
Some have better contrast than others. This early one of a loon has faded into a uniform tan, but the design is still visible.
The white underside of the fungus turns dark when it is disturbed. A sharp object like a nail, jack knife, or exacto knife can be used to etch.
The side of a blade can create shadows, but lettering is hard for me.
some work better than others. Here the invasive weed Eurasian Milfoil‘s feathery textures work better than the gliding fish.
My favorite is my newest, a cat face and a tiny mouse on 2 separate fungi.
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Related articles
- The Artist’s Conk (palymoth.com)
- Finding what is underneath (moonandshadow.wordpress.com)
Ashley Wolff 
Thanks for sharing these. Really neat!
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I’m glad you liked it, Julie!
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Very cool! I will share this with my budding artist.
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Do you live somewhere where these grow–they are still in the woods.
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Next time we go hiking, we’ll look for some.
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This is beautiful artwork and your lettering is quite nice, love your own work! I posted a link to your mushroom art on my fave facebook group the daily creative. I wanted to let you know and encourage you in your artistic journey. Hugs.
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Thank you, Joy,
The Artist’s Conk is definitely an unconventional canvas-I’m glad you liked the way I embellished mine.
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