‘Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight 2014’ map, colour art #KGHB

The printed map #KGHB www.kentgreenhopbeer.com

The complete map, just one side of the folded A2 leaflet (420mm H x 594mm W) available Aug/Sept 2014

Even the logos have been hand-crafted, just like the participating breweries’ beers!

Where to find out more...

The original black linework has been digitally coloured

One of Chaucer’s characters cantering from London. (The name of the city of Canterbury was derived from the fact that Canterbury was a feasible days’ canter from London).

Speaking of name origins, ‘Gravesend’ is supposedly thus named because this is where the final graves resulting from London’s Great Plague came to an end.

Breweries participating in the Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight are shown against a white background, over 20 in all this year.

London, shown with tongue  clearly in cheek, as a polluted contrast to the green fields of Kent

A hand-drawn map would not be complete without a kraken or two...

This style of signpost was known as a ‘bichop’s finger’ after which Faversham brewery Shepherd Neame names its strong ale. The style was peculiar to Kent.

I went on this tour starting from Eddie Gadds’ Ramsgate brewery last year finishing at The Foundry in Canterbury, a great trip was had by all.

Navigation UK map inset

Again, with tongue firmly in cheek, The Isle of Sheppey is shown featuring one of its better-known establishments, a prison

Again, the Fortnight is supported by The British Hop Association and Simply Hops

West Kent Green Hop Brewers

Paraphrasing the usual ‘Garden of England’ line

Well the Eurostar train does dive straight into the sea doesn’t it?

South-west Kent KGHBF participating breweries

Do visit, it’s in Dane John Gardens and has a lovely atmosphere

A map of Dover without a spitfire would be unthinkable, of course.

The Sussex border, (‘part of...’ appeared in many old maps when the full county was not shown).

Kraken/sea monster, ship and, of course, a nymph-like girl water skiing on a scallop pulled by a fish

‘Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight’ hand-drawn map - inking

Inking out the north Kent coastline in ‘scratch pen’

The tide’s in

Before adding a (water)colour, I have to wait for exactly the right time for the clear water ‘base’ to become a sheen, (not a sopping wet puddle).

When the water base is ready, the new colour pigment flows into it seamlessly.

Drying in the summer warmth outside my cabin

The main colour work is complete

Detail showing a mixture of pthalo blue and sienna and the pitted texture of the Bockingford paper

A cephalopod raises a glass with one of his many arms

A Kentish icon - the oast house, where hops were dried

The scratch, or ‘dip’ pen provides a lovely ‘fat and thin’ elegant line

‘Lure Fish Kitchen’ wall art/signwriting

A let’s say ‘challenging’ surface of reclaimed brickwork last week for Philip Kendall’s new ‘Lure Fish Kitchen’ restaurant near Kentish Town, London.