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Autumn foray 1984 weekend fungus illustration workshop
103 HYPHOMYCETES ( contd) Pericon ia by ssoid es (on dead stems of Urtica, TL92 Roman River, MBEflPE , 6.9 ; on dead stems of Urtica , TM 12 Weeley Hall , MBEflPE, 8.9) Periconia cookei (on Thalictrum , TM03 Flatford, MBEflPE , 10.9) Pleurophragmium parvisporum (on dead stems of Urtica , TL92 Roman River , MBEflPE, 6.9 ; on dead stem of Urtica , TMl2 Weeley Hall , MBEflPE, 8.9) Ramularia sphaeroidea (on living leaves of Lotus, TL70 Hitchcock 's Meadow, MBE/1PE , 11.9) Sesquicillium candelabrum (on dead needle attached to fallen branch of Pinus , TM35 Tunstall , DWM, 7.9) Stilbella erythrocephala (on rabbit pellets, TM 12 Weeley Hall, MBEflPE , 8.9) Torula herbarum (on dead stems of Urtica , TL92 Roman River, MBEflPE , 6.9 ; on stems of Urtica , TMl2 Weeley Hall, MBEflPE, 8 .9 ; on Urtica , TM03 Flatford , MBEflPE, 10.9) Vert icicladium state of Desmazierella acicola (on dead needles of Pinus, TM35 Tunstall, DWM, 7.9) AUTUMN FORAY 1984 WEEKEND FUNGUS ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP 7 -9 September University of Essex Th is was the first illustration workshop to be held during a foray . Since previous attempts to arrange similar events had been dogged by poor publicity , Ray Cowell and Dave Minter who organised this weekend were , no doubt, relieved that on this occasion it was 'third time lucky' and they deserve to be gratified by the number of people who made their way to the studio . Some, like myself, came for the whole weekend and others for just a day or even a few hours. Numbers fluctuated over the weekend - the lure of the foray proved irresistible - even though there were few fungi to be found in an exceptionally dry season. I lost count of the number of people who participated, as I spent part of the weekend in the laboratory. I was intrigued that the majority came from Kent : a veritable school of fungus painters seems to be emerg ing south of the Thames! It was perhaps surprising that more foray members didn't take advantage of the opportunity to get practical advice on making field sketches. Possibly some of those members who came into the studio to satisfy their curiosity, or to bring choice offerings to the illustrators, may be encouraged to join in nex t time. Having mastered the security system which left us temporarily stranded ou tside the Department of Biology, retrieving our packed lunches from the main foray before they disappeared into darkest Essex proved - dare I say it a piece of cake. Perhaps these little tasks were set to test our degree of commitment. Ray passed a severe test of personal commitment to the weekend when I produced two rarit ies which she has never pain ted , Boletus satanas and Amanita echinocephala , which she gave unhesitatingly to th e class. She also showed great equanimity when the overmature boletes, having filled the studio with their unique aroma, walked off in all directions leaving a tideline o f maggot s. Our group divided on the first evening and I joined the smaller party to hear Dave Minter discuss the basic techniques of black and white illustration , being particularly anxious to learn how to overcome some of the practical problem s of drawing micro-fungi . Since most of Dave's work is intended for publi cat ion , keen obs ervation and preci sion are essential qualities demanded
104 of the illustrator. It soon became clear that it is equally important to know just how much detail to include to enable the printer to achieve accurate and convincing reproductions. It was reassuring to learn that even the experts make mistakes and that small errors are all part of a day's work and easily disguised. We enjoyed examining the books that Dave had brought, particularly Micheli's Nova Plantarum Genera. We also appreciated his efforts in producing a handout with useful information on the illustration of fungi. The beauty of some microorganisms is well known, but there are still surprises awaiting the patient observer as Dave demonstrated when he found an exquisite example of the unidentified organism thathe had previously described in the Autumn Foray Programme. Those who decided to illustrate macro-fungi joined Ray Cowell. Whilst I didn't join Rayon this occasion, I know that she expresses herself with clarity and humour and I am sure that everyone went home having improved some aspect of their work under her guidance. Ray works mainly with gouache on coloured paper, but encourages the use of water soluble pencils. It is an eyeopener to see her painstaking care of detail. Ray's work is very much alive and drawn with affection, unlike some of the petrified specimens in the books she displayed. The infectious enthusiasm which Ray and Dave share for their subject would be justification enough for joining them, but we were all made to feel that it gave them genuine pleasure to impart their knowledge and watch talents blossom. The weekend passed all too quickly - dare we hope that they can be persuaded to repeat this very successful workshop? Irene Palmer UPLAND FORAY 1984 Achnanellan, Acharacle, Arllyllshire 6-13 October I first contacted the Society on learning of the Autumn Foray in Colchester sufficiently close to my home that I could travel over daily. In due course a Foray Programme arrived: I read it from cover to cover. Here was a publication which totally shattered my expectations of a stuffy academic society! Here was a group of scientific specialists who clearly enjoyed their vocation! They evidently regarded their interest, though serious, as one to be enjoyed, and seemed to be a group who not only worked, but also played hard, and with enthusiasm. I immediately applied to join the Society and go on the Truffle Hunt and Upland Foray. I went on the Truffle Hunt, and was not disappointed. Then came the Upland Foray. I drove a lively 600 miles with Ray Cowell for company, stopping over the Friday night at Selkirk, and arriving late (like many others) at Dalilea Pier on Saturday evening. Gerry Smith, owner of Achnanellan Field Centre was running a shuttle service across Loch Shiel: the next boat would be in about 20 minutes. Ten minutes after that we arrived at Achnanellan, nestling beneath Ben Resipol. Accommodation was intimate: two or three to a room, bunk beds, a communal mess, a sitting room lined with chairs. The sitting room was in the main house with some of the bedrooms. The other bedrooms and mess were in the second building, a converted barn. There were eighteen participants, a good number, since in a week of living in such a tight group you can get to know everyone. It took just over an hour to unpack and settle in before the evening meal. When all were fed, Gerry Smith gave a short talk about the centre and the
104 of the illustrator. It soon became clear that it is equally important to know just how much detail to include to enable the printer to achieve accurate and convincing reproductions. It was reassuring to learn that even the experts make mistakes and that small errors are all part of a day's work and easily disguised. We enjoyed examining the books that Dave had brought, particularly Micheli's Nova Plantarum Genera. We also appreciated his efforts in producing a handout with useful information on the illustration of fungi. The beauty of some microorganisms is well known, but there are still surprises awaiting the patient observer as Dave demonstrated when he found an exquisite example of the unidentified organism thathe had previously described in the Autumn Foray Programme. Those who decided to illustrate macro-fungi joined Ray Cowell. Whilst I didn't join Rayon this occasion, I know that she expresses herself with clarity and humour and I am sure that everyone went home having improved some aspect of their work under her guidance. Ray works mainly with gouache on coloured paper, but encourages the use of water soluble pencils. It is an eyeopener to see her painstaking care of detail. Ray's work is very much alive and drawn with affection, unlike some of the petrified specimens in the books she displayed. The infectious enthusiasm which Ray and Dave share for their subject would be justification enough for joining them, but we were all made to feel that it gave them genuine pleasure to impart their knowledge and watch talents blossom. The weekend passed all too quickly - dare we hope that they can be persuaded to repeat this very successful workshop? Irene Palmer UPLAND FORAY 1984 Achnanellan, Acharacle, Arllyllshire 6-13 October I first contacted the Society on learning of the Autumn Foray in Colchester sufficiently close to my home that I could travel over daily. In due course a Foray Programme arrived: I read it from cover to cover. Here was a publication which totally shattered my expectations of a stuffy academic society! Here was a group of scientific specialists who clearly enjoyed their vocation! They evidently regarded their interest, though serious, as one to be enjoyed, and seemed to be a group who not only worked, but also played hard, and with enthusiasm. I immediately applied to join the Society and go on the Truffle Hunt and Upland Foray. I went on the Truffle Hunt, and was not disappointed. Then came the Upland Foray. I drove a lively 600 miles with Ray Cowell for company, stopping over the Friday night at Selkirk, and arriving late (like many others) at Dalilea Pier on Saturday evening. Gerry Smith, owner of Achnanellan Field Centre was running a shuttle service across Loch Shiel: the next boat would be in about 20 minutes. Ten minutes after that we arrived at Achnanellan, nestling beneath Ben Resipol. Accommodation was intimate: two or three to a room, bunk beds, a communal mess, a sitting room lined with chairs. The sitting room was in the main house with some of the bedrooms. The other bedrooms and mess were in the second building, a converted barn. There were eighteen participants, a good number, since in a week of living in such a tight group you can get to know everyone. It took just over an hour to unpack and settle in before the evening meal. When all were fed, Gerry Smith gave a short talk about the centre and the