This Tokyo skyline by Cecilie Fritzvold is simply stunning. I love the juxtaposition of old and new buildings. Her build is littered with clean lines, pops of color, and wonderfully diverse textures. And to top it all off, the subtle composition of this photograph is excellent. Cecilie’s LEGO skyline includes, from left to right: Meiji Jingu, Tokyo Tower, the Imperial palace, Tokyo Skytree, and Senso-ji.
You don’t always have to increase a LEGO model’s scale to create more detail — some creations show off how we can be tricked into thinking pieces are something they’re not. Take this ’67 Mustang Fastback by George Panteleon for example…
The lights are actually empty Technic pin holes, the side mirrors are old trailer hitch pieces, and the exhausts are one piece – the classic 1X2 plate with handles on each side. How many more clever parts usages can you find?
After bringing us an almost perfect rendition of Samus Aran, Finnish builder Eero Okkonen returns with a beast that looks like a dragon, but isn’t. Called “Guechex” this monster makes good use of printed Bionicle armour pieces as well as a solid red and black colour scheme to tell us that this is a fiery being. Check out the builder’s personal blog for additional pictures.
More than ten years ago, we featured a LEGO model inspired by the Pejite gunship from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Well, here’s another one. Proving once again that inspiration is a close cousin of creative innovation, Nate Rehm-Daly takes us even further from the original source material. Now, instead of being dark red, it’s a combination of blue and neutral tones. And the sleek anime space style has been replaced by something more akin to dieselpulp. But the result stands on its own. That canopy combination is outstanding, and the poseable blue parts are sweet play features. I’d love to see a swarm of these dive down from the clouds.
Jonathan Walker has the art of SHIP-building down to a science. His innovative organic designs and advanced building techniques are evident in his latest work called the Dreadful Angel. The curved engine core and the dual prongs are distinct features that come together nicely in one fluid model.
Despite being in my 20’s, I will always enjoy the cleverness and humor of SpongeBob Squarepants, and still drop quotes from the show in conversation. Block Head has created a cute SpongeBob, complete with Krusty Krab hat and spatula, with another thing I haven’t outgrown from my childhood: LEGO bricks. Just don’t eat too many LEGO Krabby Patties. They’ll go right to your thighs, and then you blow up.
Archimedes Chen built some fun LEGO takes on C-3PO, BB-8, R2-D2, and Stormtroopers, as they appear in The Force Awakens. Though my favorites here are the First Order Stormtroopers with clever parts usage on each helmet’s face mask, all six are packed with just the right amount of recognizable details without looking busy.
September is traditionally the month when LEGO fans all around the world design huge ships. Many of our readers are taking part in the annual SHIPtember event, building spacecrafts more than 100 studs long. We’ve already covered a couple of the more impressive projects.
DFDS Seaways, Northern Europe’s largest shipping and logistics company, throws its hat into the ring with an enormous futuristic concept of a ferry. The head of the project, world-famous LEGO builder Warren Elsmore, took help of 7000 assistants from DFDS to put together over a million bricks to complete the largest LEGO ship in the world.
Of course, this giant is no spacecraft, but her dimensions can be compared to those that are orbiting our planet out there. At more than 12 meters long (almost 40 feet!) no wonder it demands its own truck to be transported around.
My favorite part of the project is not the ferry herself, but the (relatively) small cars and trucks on her deck. Not only do they help reveal the scale of the ship, but also look adorably cute for such small and relatively undetailed components.
Bonus points for those readers who can guess which official LEGO set this little beauty resembles:
It must be love! The original Brick Nerd Tommy Williamson has built this fine LEGO facsimile of a classic album cover. But there is a method to Tommy’s, erm, madness. The theme of this year’s BrickCon is Madness and as life long Ska fans, Tommy and I are very excited that the organizers have decided to honor one of our favorite bands in this fashion. To celebrate, this year’s Bricks of Character display will be suitably themed, from the trophies, to the badge bricks, and maybe even our outfits. So come visit our house, in the middle of the Con, and prepare for a cardiac arrest!
As a child, I was always a little on edge about the idea of a gingerbread man coming to life. Now I’m just plain terrified. This maniacal-looking LEGO cookie by Kelvin Low is truly a thing of nightmares. Don’t let the gumdrop buttons or frosting swirls fool you, if this guy comes out of your oven… run!
I admit to being a sucker for a ship with lovely curves, and the Parakeet (by Pico van Grootveld) certainly delivers. Like most of the LEGO ships coming out around this time, this green and white beauty is over 100 studs long.
The silhouette is interesting, with fins and a nice form, but that head-on view is just perfect with the engines and those amazing curved circles.
Check out the flickr gallery for some work-in-progress shots!
Lino Martins never fails to deliver when it comes to LEGO vehicles, and his 1971 Holden Ute is no exception. This orange-striped wonder looks ready to tackle whatever obstacles you put in its path.
Lino has added a roll cage, wheelie bars, and other fun little surprises. The steering on the right side is a tad weird for my sensibilities.
Check under the hood for an extra level of detail!
