Introductory project: Stage 1: Gathering materials

Brief: Collect, then visually observe, explore and record a group of textiles and materials. Create a folio of 10 to 15 drawings that visually capture the qualities and properties of the items you select.

I decided the choose the theme of Tropical Tourist as this one jumped straight out at me and the possibilities of it excited me. I also immediately thought of a piece of fabric in my 'stash' which would lend itself to this theme brilliantly.

I spent some time brainstorming the theme and came up with a page full of words that the theme brought to mind.

Brainstorm on the theme of Tropical Tourist

I also spent some time going around the house gathering a range of suitable objects. As we have just come back from holiday, it has been quite easy to find suitable objects. While out food shopping I also noticed the Primark shop window had a very tropical theme.

Primark shop window, Broughton Shopping Park, 8 June 2018

I also saw a magazine cover that fitted the theme perfectly.

Cover, National Geographic Traveller magazine, July/August 2018

So far, I have chosen the following items:

• green tropical leaf batik-style print fabric

• choice of two straw hats

• flip flops in neon orange foamy plastic material

• sunglasses

• swimsuit with blue and pink leaf pattern

• Hawaiian shirt in faded blue design (reverse or printed fabric is right side of shirt)

• fresh pineapple.

Other potential items (which I don't have could include:

• some kind of beach bag - plastic, straw, fabric?

• 'exotic' jewellery

• other fruit or foliage - coconut?

• drink - cocktail? idea of sipping luxurious cocktails by the pool? cocktail umbrellas?

• suncream - evoke scent of holidays - coconut oil?

Other reflections:

• water, surf, pool, blue, reflections

• graduation of colour from red to orange to yellow - cocktail; from dark blue to mid blue to turquoise to pale sand.

I have gathered some objects and am thinking further about their selection and arrangement.

I have also photographed the pineapple that I bought. I find the shapes on its surface very interesting: the repeated pattern as it encircles the pineapple; the glossy surfaces juxtaposed with the dried straw-like material; interesting the way the glossy parts catch the light.

ACTION: Photograph the pineapple now and when it has ripened more.

Next I gathered the objects and materials that I thought best fit the theme of Tropical Tourist and had a go at photographing them in a way that showed off their qualities of texture, patterns, weight and material.

This arrangement has nine objects and is photographed from a mid distance

Here I have swapped out some of the objects for others and have layered the items on top of each other a bit more. It is more of a close up view and more of the texture and shine from the bamboo fan and the plastic spray bottle, and the texture of the flip flops are more visible

Here I have reduced the number of objects in the arrangement as it was looking too cluttered. I think that hat works well in the top right corner

For this photo I have gone for more of a close up view, cropping the edges off some of the objects