Posts by Michael

A day in the life of a lovely forest village

Stories lurk around every corner of this LEGO forest village from builder Hanwasyellowfirst. To the residents, this is just another beautiful day. The buildings and homes orbit around the central rocky spire, one to each level. First, there’s the pleasant two story home with a tree and birdhouse beside it. I really like the use of the slopes on the roofing to form those alternating waves. I also like the use of the white snake piece for the stylized chimney smoke! The second building rests on a terrace where the fisherman waits for a bit on the line. The grey plate across the roof speaks to a history with weathering. The home has stood for some time. The final building stands atop the rocky spire, quite literally towering over the rest of the village. Its resident watches as a traveler below is warmly greeted and welcomed. No doubt the traveler will explore the many details to admire in this village.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

A spaceship in the mech-ing

Imagining what kind of cool new ships can be added to the classic LEGO Space theme is always fun. This spaceship from Shiu makes for an awesome addition to those imaginings! The shaping of the ship has a lot of fun lines and angles to catch the eye. There’s some excellent greebling going on throughout, including the evergreen minifig roller skate. Personally, I appreciate the texture the jet engine insert provides to the laser cannons. Another fine detail is the pilot’s harness. Usually builds don’t have the room for something like that. Now, something you might be wondering is why so much bulk in the wings? There could no doubt be a variety of answers to that question, but for this build the answer is transformational!

The star-fighter converts into a mech-fighter! The wings split into the arms and legs of a stylish, and spacefaring, mech. The nose of the ship swings down to allow for forward clearance, something it can do after the beast of a blaster is in the mech’s grip. Usually a space explorer has to leave their ship to adventure planet-side, but not with this ship! The whole thing can help scout out new locations and set up base camps. Truly an all-in-one spaceship.

A pocket-sized tower for a grand hairy tale

This towering tribute to Tangled, built for Vignweek, comes from the brilliant Robert4168/Garmadon. The tower and the shrouding valley around it are immediately recognizable and full of lovely details. A leftover green sprue wraps around the tower’s midsection to act as reaching vines. Minifig syringes stand in for the spire’s peaks. And a purple minifig arm represents the central spire. Most important of all, a pearl gold minifig prybar hangs off the tower as Rapunzel’s golden hair. Let’s not forget to acknowledge the excellent landscape sculpting. There are wonderful slope usages from the walls of the valley down to the floor. The greenery helps bring some life and contrast to the vignette. I feel particularly drawn to the tree beside the tower with how the leaves form an amazing canopy.

Not a beastie anyone should corner in the dark depths

This fearsome LEGO beast comes from the mind of WoomyWorld. Lurking in the depths of the cavernous underground, it waits for the unsuspecting wanderer lost in the dark. The construction of this beastie and its scene bear great care in the details. The head is well sculpted, featuring a variety of fun pieces, including some minifig arms to frame upper cheeks. Many Bionicle pieces make up the limbs and body, including the connector joints making up the beast’s vertebrae. With its glowing red eyes, this is no creature I’d want to encounter while exploring caves! The size of it is mammoth, a scale illustrated by the tiny brick-built figure brandishing a sword. Will the ancient creature feast on the foolish or reward the wise? Only time will answer the question and only the wise will find the solution; the foolish will make for a light snack.

An explosive meeting of two great LEGO themes

Two LEGO themes come together in this cool vignette from CheeseyStudios. Steve seems to have a love for the explosive lure of TNT–maybe he’s found the secret joy of creepers… The knight seems unsuspecting of the danger waiting outside the castle gate, but his horse is vigilant. This vignette is built for the day 2 Vignweek prompt of ‘Theme Mix’, and CheeseyStudios’s has a great love for the awesome themes of Castles and Minecraft. The two blend together wonderfully with their blocks and bricks, most obvious in the rocks, land, and wall near Steve. I also admire the castle banners with their dual blue and the clever use of the Friends theme horse saddle. Another great use of the horse saddle is for the underside of the brick-built horse and its raiment. The horse towers over all with its long legs, ideal for catching Steve before he lights any TNT!

Is that a solar flare or a fire dragon coming to roast me?

Andreas Leander brings another excellent LEGO build to the Summer Joust with this fiery dragon! This dragon competes in the Gradient category with its yellow to orange scales. Like the sun itself, this dragon is hard to look at with the fire that burns from within. It raises its glorious head high, preparing to expel a stream of fire at those it finds unworthy of witnessing its majesty. Half and quarter rounded tiles run up and down the dragon’s neck, hearkening wonderfully to warm scales. The best part of the build for me are the natural elements making up the mane and beard. Leaves and flower studs wreath the dragon’s neck and chin with burning plumes of fire. Makes me wonder if the horns are made of brimstone… I’d ask, but I don’t think the dragon is taking any questions at this time.

The legendary duel between bright Fingolfin and dread Morgoth

Long before Sauron plagued Middle Earth, there was the evil Morgoth. W. Navarre presents us with the Dark Lord’s duel with the shining Elven king Fingolfin in a lovely LEGO scene. Fingolfin stands before Morgoth, his blade gleaming in the darkness surrounding them in Angband, the Dark Lord’s stronghold. Morgoth prepares the first strike, commencing the legendary duel that will ultimately claim the Elven king. The figures possess a beautiful craft speaking of a great love for J.R.R Tolkien’s legendarium. Fingolfin’s figure is splendid indeed, but Morgoth’s is where my eye is drawn. There’s an amazing amount of greebles adorning the Dark Lord, and some amazing parts making up his armor. One such piece is the drill bit in the center of his face, a piece that’s more versatile than I expected at my first encounter with it.

Going out on a limb for a good view from home

From the imagination of Cab ~ comes a LEGO cottage held fast above a flowing river. Did the land form in such a fashion, or did the wizard shape it with magic? Who’s to say, but the end result is certainly an eyecatcher! Built for the Summer Joust contest, for the Bridging the Gap category, the arm stretches across more than 32 studs. The arm is supported by way of technic pieces hidden in the structure, with only 4 technic pins holding it to the base. The background and surrounding landscape use forced perspective to achieve some wonderful depth, but my attention is pulled to the foreground details. The wizard’s goat has broken free, making a dash for the nearby woods. The wizard chases after it along the arm’s length. The shaping of the terrain, from the wooded area up to the land, is absolutely gorgeous! It features great use of slopes, tiles, plates, and hinges to achieve a really standout build.

Of course, that’s not to mention the cottage itself! The walls of the home contain a plethora of rounded pieces, including some minifig headwear. Can you spot them? I personally like the use of croissants for the chimney’s smoke and the red kite flying in the wind. There’s also a skunk hiding somewhere in the scene. Take a look, but be careful lest it sprays you!

Bones and desert ruins forgotten by all but Time

Sun-bleached bones and an abandoned structure standout in the LEGO desert landscape by Eli Willsea. A feeling of loneliness and sorrow pervade the scene. Was this a sacred site with a sacred creature left alone due to unforeseen turmoil? Or was this creature the victim of sacrifice or punishment? None can say what happened here, only that the creature is long gone, its bones still bearing the weight of being tethered to the place. The structure around it towers overhead, an impressive mark on the landscape. Minifig roller-skates give detail to the capitals of the pillars. The banners on either side of the entrance stairs are seamless in their fitting, giving form to the staircase. High overhead, quarter tiles are wonderful vertical detailing for the entrance roof. The blending of soft and hard edges gives the scene a gentle, yet harsh, quality, not unlike the sand surrounding it.

Plundering pirates plan an attack on a gleaming fortress

This reimagining of the classic LEGO set 6276 Eldorado Fortress comes to us from the mind of ArmoredBricks. Like the original set, this new take features the yellow bricks that no doubt give the fortress its name. Of course, there is another possible source for the fortress’s name–the treasure kept within its depths. There has to be something to draw Captain Redbeard and his compatriot to the defended structure. Up above, overlooking the courtyard and front walls, is Governor Broadside with his crystal goblet, quite sure of the treasure’s safety. The fortress itself is much larger than the original LEGO set from 1989. It can no doubt fit a full contingent of soldiers to protect against pirates. Its architectural details stand out better here too, from the towers to the archways. I personally enjoy the use of orange with the yellow on the supports by the incoming pirates.

Continue reading →

A staggering ghostly presence comes to visit

Inspired by a friend’s work, the spectral stag leaps from Andreas Lenander‘s mind into this lovely LEGO build. An ethereal presence in nature with delicate and flowing features, the deer stands unflinchingly with strength about it. One of the defining elements of the stag is the end of the tail piece. Its use is versatile, from the antlers to the flowing of the neck, to the extended ghostly tail trailing behind. Being a smooth and curved part, it gives a sinewy and organic look to the deer. The greenery of the scene makes good use of minifig whips for the twists and turns of vines and the tree’s trunk. The tree and flowers bring a calming sense of peace to mind, pairing nicely with the rich details of the ghostly visitor. It’s easy to get lost in admiring the sculpting present in the build.

Éowyn stands defiant before the dread Witch-king of Angmar

Éowyn stands with defiance in her heart against the undefeated evil of the Witch-king of Angmar in this LEGO scene by Kai/Geneva. The winds stir under the wings of the dread beast who will meet its end by Éowyn’s blade as it goes for her fallen uncle, King Théoden. The Witch-king of Angmar is a terrifying being, looming over the field of battle as the visage of death. Adorning his helmet are two black magic wands still on their sprue–a cool use of a sprue instead of throwing it out. His weapon features clips to show fabric flying in the wind. The dread beast is fearsome with its large wingspan and sloping body. The transparent-red eyes grant it great menace, and the teeth certainly help with that too! The battlefield slopes towards the foe, speaking of the inevitability of this meeting and the triumph of good over evil.