The Brothers Brick » Castle

Regaining the Pale: Skyrim in Lego

Chris — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:40:52 +0000

Luke Hutchinson (aka Derfel Cadarn) has been continuing to build some of the best Castle structures around, but his latest subject matter particularly caught my eye. Based on my favorite game of 2011, Skyrim, Luke’s diorama shows the intrepid Dovahkiin assaulting an encampment of Stormcloak soldiers.

Bovine Valentine’s

Chris — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:31 +0000

Flickr user crises_crs portrays the new Collectible Minifig Series 6 Minotaur trying to put the mooves on a heifer in this beefed up vignette.

The Soul of a Demon

Andrew — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:54:06 +0000

Alex P. (Sirens-of-Titan) built this gorgeous bridge to accompany a fantasy story he wrote. The jagged rocks along the water contrast beautifully with the smooth lines of the stone bridge.

See more pics and read the story on MOCPages.

I need a vacation

Caylin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:30:29 +0000

And it looks like tiberium_blue has seen fit to build Sleepy Oak Bed and Breakfast that will fit the bill. Someplace snowy, where there’s a lovely fireplace to curl up and read by. I’m rather impressed by the details in the rooms, like the aquarium up above. That’s not even to say the fabulous visual impact of the stonework itself. There’s a wonderful shot of the technique here.

Thanks for the tip, Walter!

An Ancient City Besieged

Chris — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:38:01 +0000

This vivid scene by flickr user Mark of Falworth portrays the fictional Hellenistic city of Tiylis being assaulted by medieval troops. Mark’s techniques for the palm trees and rocks are worth noting, and it’s always good to see some ancient architecture outside of the northern/western European styles, but it is Mark’s water technique that really stands out here. He’s used plain bricks in several shades, jumbled in a thin layer, to produce a quite fascinating style that appears vaguely painterly.

Colossal Castle Contest IX Roundup

Caylin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:11:53 +0000

There were a ton of simply amazing entries this year into Classic-Castle‘s annual contest. I tell myself each year I’m going to blog all of my favorites, and every year there are so many I fall drastically behind.

But! For your viewing pleasure, some of my favorites. I’m so glad I’m not judging.

In no particular order:

Fiant’s Lord of the North:

Koffiemoc‘s Maison de la Motte

Shmail‘s San Kastel

Noah McClung‘s Operation “Chimney Sweep”

Lolino‘s Secret of the Holy Grail

Jovian (Steve Vargo)’s Enchanted Waters

busboy489′s Castle New Hope

Stormbringer’s Frost Dragon Attack from Skyrim

I’ll Drink to That!

Dan — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:50:26 +0000

Steve Vargo (:jovian:) brings us a fantastic vision of a wizard parting waters to reveal a potion beneath. This creation really delivers a sense of motion to the waters, as well as fantastic drama in the lighting. For those seeking a closer look (or to be amazed by what a difference lighting can make), check out how it looks with basic lighting.

Colossal Castle Contest: Deadline Approaching!

Caylin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:54:25 +0000

Classic-Castle‘s Colossal Castle Contest is still underway–at least, until December 31 at 11:59pm EST. That means you’ve got a little over a day and a half to get your entries submitted! Check out Classic-Castle for the rules, categories, and prizes!

Lego to Pick Up The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Licenses [News]

Chris — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:28:27 +0000

No folks, it’s not an untimely April’s fools joke. Lego is partnering with Warner Bros. to bring us what so many fans have asked for over the years — LEGO sets based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, including both The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and The LEGO Group Build on Partnership to Produce Construction Toys for THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ Trilogy and the Two Films Based on THE HOBBIT

-Building Sets Based on Epic Film Trilogy and Forthcoming Theatrical Release Slated for 2012-

BILLUND, Denmark and Burbank, CA – December 16, 2011 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products and The LEGO Group announced today a partnership that awards the world’s leading construction toy brand exclusive rights to develop build-and-play construction sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ trilogy and the two films based on THE HOBBIT™. The multi-year licensing agreement grants access to the library of characters, settings, and stories for THE LORD OF THE RINGS property, as well as films The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. LEGO® THE LORD OF THE RINGS construction sets are slated for a rolling global launch beginning in June 2012 in the United States, with LEGO THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY scheduled for later in the year.

“Only LEGO, with their expertise in the construction category, is capable of doing justice to the incredibly imaginative environments depicted in the world of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the two films based on THE HOBBIT,” said Karen McTier, executive vice president, domestic licensing and worldwide marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “These films give life to amazing worlds and characters and we are thrilled to bring fans these products that deliver an imaginative play experience befitting of these beloved properties.”

The LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS collection will translate into LEGO form the epic locations, scenes and characters of Middle-earth as depicted in all three films, including The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

In late 2012, LEGO THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY will give fans of all ages a chance to build and play out the fantastical story and new characters of the legendary Middle-earth adventures depicted in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey from Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, slated to premiere December 14, 2012.

“Our collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products has delivered numerous worldwide successes in the construction toy aisle with lines like LEGO HARRY POTTER and LEGO BATMAN, introducing us to loyal audiences who love great stories, strong characters and the toys that they inspire,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. “It’s particularly exciting to now be able to create sets based on the fantasy worlds and characters from THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and the two films based on THE HOBBIT, not only because we know they will foster collectability and creative play, but also because these are two properties that our fans have been asking us to create for years.”

Information about the sets and collectible minifigures from both collections will be unveiled at a later date at TheLordoftheRings.LEGO.com.

Colossal Castle Contest: Three Weeks Left!

Caylin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:18:39 +0000

Just under three weeks remain for Classic-Castle‘s Colossal Castle Contest. Check out Classic-Castle for the rules, categories, and prizes!

Festival of Flowers

Andrew — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:40:20 +0000

Capturing liquid forms is hard to do in LEGO, but great water features keep cropping up in this year’s Colossal Castle Contest entries. This wonderful waterfall diorama by Sean and Steph Mayo (Siercon and Coral) includes lots of little scenes that add up to a great story.

You might miss the water nymph, so here’s a close-up:

Thanks for the tip, Blake!

Kelra Labyrinth

Nannan — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:29:59 +0000

Joshua Morris (I Scream Clone) built a ruined maze that has a convincing look achieved without advanced techniques. All that’s needed are some variations of earth colors, differently textured stone bricks, and diverse flora.

Black Knights’ Castle: Simple Elegance

Chris — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:12:20 +0000

The Black Knights’ Castle may not be the biggest, but it is gorgeous. Using relatively subtle ornamentation, Franko Komljenovic has crafted a quite suitable stronghold for this classic faction. The black walls with grey engaged columns lend the castle depth, and combined with the narrow crenelations, help belie the size of the fortress.

What danger lurks indeed

Caylin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:15:09 +0000

And again with the fantastic entries for the Colossal Castle Contest, courtesy of Classic-Castle. This time, we’ve got a fabulous bit of landscaping by KumpelKante to accompany the intrepid explorers, who are about to run into some trouble.

He lives in an oak-wood and has a great wooden house…

Chris — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:55:51 +0000

…and was known as Beorn to Gandalf, Bilbo, and their many dwarven companions in The Hobbit; and this charming scene by Blake Baer (Blake’s Baericks) captures his home quite nicely. There are many fantastic details, but Blake has particularly done an excellent job at portraying the dense grass, weeds, and flowers surrounding the paths.