This one goes out to the town builder readers. Larry Lars is still going on his illustrated guides to windows and I’m still watching. If you build town there will be a window for you.
Category Archives: Building Techniques
Finally, a nemesis worthy of my vast intellect
Following his amazing GLaDOS from Portal 2, Brandon Bannerman (Catsy) miniaturizes a turret to minifig-scale (or near enough), alongside an adorable custom Chell fig, complete with ASHPD.
For all of you out there who’d like your own turret to keep you company during the long twilight of civilization, Brandon has kindly posted instructions.
Another interesting thing about Brandon’s design has been watching it evolve based on feedback from fellow builders. See the earlier iterations here and here, together with the comments that inspired the final version.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is probably one of the hardest buildings to make in LEGO due to its compound curves. All attempts I can remember seeing have used plate sculpting which gets the shape right but not the smooth texture of the shells. Until now!
Bad Leo has used a building technique that is nothing short of brilliant to construct the compound curves. I believe this is similar to how the real opera house is constructed. The end result is amazing.
Beautiful, beautiful cheese floors
I’m consistently wowed by the geometric designs that Katie Walker fiddles with and frequently shares. It’s extra rewarding when she incorporates the results of her experiments into beautiful architecture like this grand staircase and mosaic floor.
Human-powered transport
As much as I like to see more Asian elements within the available palette of LEGO elements, and as addicted as I am to the collectible minifigs, I can’t say I’m thrilled with the hair piece used for both (both?!) the sumo wrestler and geisha. Nevertheless, I can’t help but love anything that springs from the brilliantly bricking fingers of Michael Jasper.
Via twee affect, which has a nice discussion of the various interesting techniques that Michael inevitably applies to his LEGO creations.
Doors opening... please stand clear
Esben Kolind is one of the few LEGO builders who can combine excellent working features and nice looking designs. A browse through his Youtube account is sure to please those of a technical bent and those who like pretty train models. His latest intercity train expands on his old ideas to feature three simultaneous working doors through some superb compact technic design.
If you are interested in knowing more follow the discussion at Eurobricks.
This is NPU
I freely admit to getting frustrated by the amount of ‘NPU‘ (Nice Part Use) I see thrown around LEGO models. The acronym was originally used for a part being used cleverly in a different circumstance. Both these examples feature such a use. Nowadays it seems to be used for just about anything. This, dear readers, is wrong (to para-borrow a phrase from Twee Affect).
First we have Joshua Morris (I scream clone) who demonstrates a classic NPU by using a turkey on Mr Potato Head’s nose and croissants as his eyebrows.
Secondly Robert H. (Robiwan_Kenobi) uses loads of parts in unusual ways but the most notable ‘NPU’ is the little airvent made from the end of a skiflipper.
Note how in each case a very specific part has been reused in a novel way. That is NPU.
[April Fools’!] Analysis of a blogworthy MOC
When we choose to blog a creation, we look for the quality of the build, the clarity of the photography, and how well the creation appeals to our personal tastes. While there’s still much subjectivity in these parameters, we hope that this example will elucidate what we consider to be a blogworthy MOC.
• Color: the builder demonstrates a keen sense of color consciousness through the green and white stripes that define the upper and lower bounds of this MOC. He even uses a tantalizing amount of Maersk blue to pique the viewer’s interest.
• Shape: a classic rectangular prism made to perfection with smooth and straight edges, you can’t get better than that.
• NPU: the builder flawlessly incorporates those useless yellow window shutters and green window frame, which further matches the green stripes of this MOC.
• Photography: flash is used to provide clear lighting.
• The X-factor: the best builders are able to channel their personality and style into a MOC. In this case, the dust on this MOC illustrates the builder’s dedication of keeping his creations intact while the medical biochemistry textbook is indicative of the builder’s rich social life outside the hobby. Don’t mess with this stud!
Tablescrap Robbery
Most people are satisfied with simply uploading a bad picture of their LEGO tablescraps and adding them to their group. Nothing so simple was on the agenda for Brent (thwaak). He arranged, narrated, photographed and edited. And I’m glad he did.
Beautiful curves of the Phenix
Christophe Corthay‘s Star Trek inspired Vulcan ship called the Phenix has some of the craziest curves I’ve seen. They’re crazy because not only are there so many rings, but they are also textured by SNOT techniques. I can’t imagine the amount of strain in this model, which could make it explode at any moment. But for what it’s worth, the result looks drop dead gorgeous.
Big is beautiful but small is sexy
For his LEGO models Pierre A. Fieschi dispenses with minifigs and builds small. But you’d never know it looking at the thumbnails for his models. In the last two weeks he’s posted 6 models and I recommend checking all of them out (and anything further back). This, dear readers, is how you build small.
EDIT: As Dan rightly points out there is indeed a minifig in the minifig scaled vehicle above. I am blind and wrong.
Looking to add a bit of weather to your scene?
Sean and Steph Mayo have provided an alternate shot of their snow effect that shows fabulous ideas for using parts, and gives insight as to how they accomplished their scene.
I’m particularly fond of the icicles and the snow on the tree!
