We’ve covered tiny boats by A Brick Dreamer before. But boats don’t get much smaller than this six-piece schooner. What’s most impressive, though, is that this minuscule mariner gets rocked by waves that actually work, thanks to some tricky Technic techniques. Good thing that lighthouse is there to warn it away from the microscale cliffs.
Have a look at how the full model functions in the video below.
The Toa better be wary of this creature! Ivan Martynov has constructed this fascinating model based on the classic Bionicle hero, Keetongu. However, a parasite now wears the hero’s armour, as it attempts to impersonate the ancient elder. While the model is mostly made up of Bionicle and Hero Factory parts, general LEGO pieces are mixed in with the build, such as the coverings for the feet and angled handles at the upper thighs. Some of the pieces you won’t be able to find in that warm orange colour, as the model is a rendered image. The hints of pink and transparent purple contrast nicely with the rest of the build, providing this creature with an ominous appearance.
When I think about alternate uses for a large formed part like an airplane cockpit, shrimp-shaped-submarine pincers is not the first thing to come to mind. But I guess that’s what sets
Level_Bell apart from all the rest. And that’s not the only nice part usage on this undersea vessel that brings new meaning to the phrase “shrimp boat.” Look closely at the top of the sub to find a starfish-shaped hubcap serving as a forward hatch.
What kind of crew would you expect to be piloting this shrimp-sub? Look inside to see hermit crab crewmen wearing sailor caps… too cute.
To celebrate Elton John’s recent 75th birthday, Rickard Stensby has built a LEGO tribute to the Rocket Man himself. I’ve been a fan of Rickard’s for some time, he’s able to really make his characters stand out and this offering is no exception! Rickard has perfectly captured the face and expression of Elton John in this caricature, from the hair, to the glasses, to the smile – and let’s not forget the earring! The construction of the Piano captures the classic shaping of a grand piano flawlessly, whilst the purple with gold accent color choice really compliments Elton’s white tuxedo. It’s a piano perfect for writing Your Song or even Sad Songs.
LEGO motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, just like their real-life counterparts. Just one look at this chopper by RGB900 (whose handle sounds like a motorcycle model) and it is plain to see that they can pick the perfect parts to create the necessary details in a tiny size. From the long front forks to the 1×1 round tile used for the cap of the gas tank to the 2 clips that keep the bike perfectly balanced. And that brown tile for a seat looks more comfortable than it is.
Back at it again with another fantastic figure, Builder Eero Okkonen makes use of some interesting parts from Monkie Kid’s new Galactic Explorer. After watching the Moon Knight finale, this seems like an ancient Egyptian hero in the modern era. Just imagine him strutting up to a bad guy, dropping that boom box, hitting play, and kicking butt in step with the power of the gods.
Winter may have passed, but its scenes still provide a tranquil allure. This small model by Eli Willsea is a delightfully cartoonish landscape of such a pleasant, icy kingdom. Aqua slopes and curves are built studs not on top, aside from the few exposed to secure the tiny trees and little huts. Using unicorn horns in sand green for different sizes or types of trees is a great method at this scale, but my favorite are the bridges. The mold for wands includes two of the pieces attached to a non-System piece for structural stability. Eli was smart here, wedging unattached wands into the gaps in the wand molds to create small wooden bridges connecting the islands. It might not be “legal” but it certainly suits the scene. Of course, the most complex element is the focal point, the Cold Castle itself. While the nearby huts sport maroon roofs, the castle is capped by dark azure. The stone spires of the structure seem to make use of inverted building techniques to secure the lightsaber hilts. Those create pressure to hold the forks of the bucket handle wedged above the inverted, rounded gold tile used as the castle gate.
This miniature scene is yet another example of the subtle skills that builders like Eli Willsea make use of for their models. It’s one thing to know how to operate within the System but another entirely to know how to break the rules. It starts as a simple suggestion, an experiment in limits, and becomes a signature that builders can rely on to set them apart.
In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the 1st week of May 2022.
TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS This week was as big a LEGO news week as last week was light on news. LEGO revealed over 20 new sets for Summer 2022 from City, Ninjago, Creator, Art, Harry Potter, and Marvel Superheroes. We also reviewed two LEGO Star Wars sets and a Disney Pixar set. If you’re looking for more news and reviews, be sure to check out our last Brick Report from 2 weeks ago.
What would have happened if a medieval city grew as dense as modern cities? Ralf Langer builds us a picture of what it might have been like with this set of wonderful LEGO medieval buildings. Now I will confess up front that I’m not much of a medieval buff so I’m sure I would butcher any attempt to discuss the historical accuracy of these buildings. That said, what I do know is building techniques. And this is full of them! One of my favorites is the use of brown tread links to create the wooden supports slotting in between the curved white slopes of the walls. The rock work on the lower walls in superb as well, Ralf does a great job creating fairly random structure that gives great depth. Great stuff here, and it’s worth checking this out in greater detail!
Eric Druon lovingly recreates the Cosmo-Liner spacecraft from the 1978 anime Captain Future. The ship is really cool, from both a design and LEGO model perspective, bringing to mind visions of a deep-sea diving vessel. The viewport of the ship is hexagonal as if it’s destined to be made of LEGO! This calls for the use of the transparent blue canopy from the 2000 Artic LEGO toy line. The color palette of the ship is simple and quite clean, letting the canopy shine as the focal point. Looking at the design, I can’t help but think the original designers were inspired by TIE fighters. Star Wars premiered a year before the anime aired, leaving room enough for the artists to be inspired by that hit movie. Regardless of the ship’s origin, this build is inspiring in its own right!
Fun fact, the anime was based on the pulp sci-fi character Captain Future. The character’s original adventures were published in the eponymous pulp magazine from 1940 to 1944. The anime was imported into many countries and was particularly successful in France. It was in France that the character’s name changed to Capitaine Flam.
Giant hulking robots are always fun to see in LEGO form. Psyro TtunTomato has built this awesome version of Gypsy Avenger from Pacific Rim Uprising movie. The model has a muscular design with a slender waist section, all presented in a clean-looking dark blue colour scheme. The golden eye area is cleverly represented by a textured circular brick. While it is in a bit of an odd position, a bike chassis is used to form the crotch of the mech.
A trans-orange wheel rim portrays the machine’s powerful generator at the chest. When it is time for the final strike against a monster, the mech comes equipped with a chain sword which is represented by a blade first featured in the Nexo Knight sets.
As spring full sets in with showers and sunshine, carpets of grass and beds of budding flowers thrive. This clever garden and cargo tricycle by Mel Finelli celebrate the spirit of the season perfectly with a ton of green. Using a ton of repeated elements and minifigure headpieces, Mel not only made some lovely garden beds but also tools, a watering can, and a whole tricycle with its own bed of thriving plant babies.
