The first time I decided to draw a mushroom, I was sitting outside in my backyard, inspired by the small fungi sprouting after a recent rain. I grabbed my sketchpad and pencil, feeling both excited and a tad overwhelmed. Starting with the basic shape of the mushroom cap was my initial step. It was simpler than I anticipated, which encouraged me to keep going. Next, I sketched the stalk and added some details like the gills beneath the cap. With each stroke, my mushroom began to take on a life of its own. I experimented with different types of mushrooms,