From Grinding to Brewing: Illustrator 71’s Sweet Escape in a Cup of Pour-Over Coffee

Posted by

solright

2025-10-03

On 2025-10-03

In both life and creativity, there are always little pauses where thoughts need to be sorted out. Some people light up a cigarette, others tidy up their rooms as if refreshing their minds through a mini “metabolism.” For illustrator 71 (@71picture), his ritual is brewing a cup of pour-over coffee. Unlike siphon or cold brew that take too much time, pour-over is just right—the grind, the pour, the waiting. It’s a sweet window to reset, recharge with a touch of caffeine, and then dive back into his art.

Many first came to know 71 through his whimsical Monster Series, but his primary profession is photography. Work often takes him back and forth between Taipei, Taichung, and Changhua. No matter the city, the first thing he looks up is nearby coffee shops—camera, tablet, and laptop in tow—finding spaces where he can truly immerse himself in creation. “I actually need cafés to get into work mode,” he admits with a laugh.

Ordering Coffee Like Ordering a Drink at a Bar

When 71 finds a café that sparks his focus, he’ll go back for days in a row. In the beginning, he didn’t know much about coffee; he only knew he liked a brighter, more acidic flavor. Unable to decode origins or roast levels, he would simply ask the barista—like ordering a cocktail at a bar—“I’d like something a little sour.” Slowly, he built a connection with his favorite spots. Now, at some cafés, he just has to say “hot” or “iced,” and the barista already knows what to prepare.

在台北，棋逸最常去的是中山浮光書店一間老宅改建的咖啡廳，裡頭有個天井，午後時天井下的光線暖暖的非常舒服，點一杯酸度剛好的美式就能待上一個下午。安靜的氛圍，無論是看書或筆電工作，都能在這裡找到自在的空間！同樣是老宅改造，棋逸也很推薦在彰化的咖啡烟，這間咖啡廳的結構與一旁的廟宇古蹟彰化威惠宮相連，坐在二樓望出去便是廟的屋頂，有種沉穩靜謐感。這幾年棋逸也很常出國旅遊，近期剛從溫哥華回來，也很推薦當地的咖啡廳 lovelarte！

From Digital Creations Back to Canvas

Art has been with 71 since childhood. With parents and a sister who painted, he picked up brushes early—scribbles, sketches, watercolor. But in college, after accidentally entering a film program, painting was put aside for years. It wasn’t until a friend invited him to share illustrations online that he picked up drawing again, this time digitally.

因為本業是攝影師的關係，工作時也會順手拍下很多照片，就這樣在一些攝影作品中加入自己畫的怪獸，分享在社群上。結果意外地反應很不錯，朋友、網友都覺得很有趣，鼓勵多畫，就這樣不經意地一玩，就慢慢畫出一些樣子來了。從最初在社群上分享插畫作品，到後來舉辦實體個展，甚至出版了第一本繪本《奇異的筆》，「老實說一開始還蠻不適應的，從數位回歸實體的下筆需要更謹慎，有時候還會在畫布上想放大縮小，或者點兩下畫筆（笑），但在找回手感同時，也找回一點沒辦法解釋的浪漫感。」

Recently, he set up a spacious shared studio in Taichung. There’s room for large easels, cozy living room corners, even game nights with friends. In the future, he hopes to host art workshops there—a space for kids and fellow creators to share the joy of painting.

A Monster in Metal: The Solright DB-1

For 71, both coffee and art are familiar flavors of life—one fuels the other. Whether at home or in a café, convenience matters. That’s why he reaches for the Solright DB-1 Grinder, his reliable partner in pour-over breaks. “If I had to describe it as a monster,” he muses, “it would be a gray one—smooth and simple on the outside, but with sharp, intricate mechanics hidden within.”

Monsters have been at the heart of his work for years. Will they continue to be his main subject? “They’ll always be there,” he says. “But now I want to focus more on the accessories, the details—the elements that surround the monsters. Maybe the monster itself becomes just a small Easter egg, tucked away in the canvas.”
For 71, each monster part—like a shock absorber—comes with a principle to explore and learn. Through painting, he keeps pushing himself into new possibilities.