If you like big castles, we got another treat for you. This work by Marco den Besten (‘Ecclesiastes) and Tijger-San features a classical approach of using blocky gray wall and towers, but the patterns in the architecture makes an otherwise simple structure appear ornate. You can see more photos of the creation on Eurobricks.
If Luke Watkins Hutchinson is associated with the gritty side of castle, then César Soares (Cesbrick) represents the vibrant side of medieval architecture. Check out his latest masterpiece called BlueWater Castle and see more photos of the creation of Flickr.
It’s been a rough winter all around, though I am glad most of our snowy adventures do not involve storming a tall tower. Isaac S (soccersnyderi)’s little build is quite clever, and I do appreciate some of the techniques he used here. It definitely avoids being a boring tower, and I like the cold feel of the whole build.
Bravo!
It’s probably fair to say that the “higgledy-piggledy” castle style – featuring crumbly textured walls, sagging Tudor woodwork and an obligatory splash of color – has become a popular trope amongst castle builders over the past couple of years. So it’s always nice when one of the progenitors of this style produces something that lifts it to a higher level (literally)…
Behold, All Hallows Keep by Luke Watkins Hutchinson (aka Derfel Cadarn):
It’s been a bit since we featured a castle creation on here, and I think it’s high time!
This tower by Marco den Besten (ecclesiastes) is just full of great details to draw the eye and avoid the big-grey-wall syndrome. I love the decorative elements at the top of each tower, and the lines on the main door. I particularly like the off-angle of the tower in the far back right.
Open the tower to reveal the gold within:
Jason Allemann has come up with a design for Lego ballista that can launch a 2×4 brick 15 feet (which will let you hit almost any target in even the biggest dioramas). The best part is that he has posted step-by-step instructions for you to build your own. Time to get ready for battle!
Smaug! Using some pretty great techniques, Finn Tegotash has recreated the head of everyone’s favorite gold hoarder: Smaug the Magnificent.
I particularly love the use of seats for scales, the horse saddle for the nose and a window for the lower jaw. But what really impressed me was the the Dwarven runes he created using LEGO string:
Spoiler alert! The above translates to the first word in this post.
This build, by Tyler, depicts the sad end of a tragic story. We don’t know the details but we know it didn’t end well.
I love the construction here of the hand and chains, of course. But I think the unsung hero here is the backdrop. That is some lovely brickwork going on there!
German builder Disco86 recently completed his triptych of builds focused on medieval Japan, for the 12th annual Colossal Castle Contest over at Classic-Castle.com. And I think it’s fair to say he saved the best for last, with this beautiful and colorful diorama. (Can you spot the lurking ninja?)
David Frank is working on a beautiful series of models depicting scenes and locations from the novel To Whatever End (Echoes of Imara Book 1)
Chris posted the first in the series last week. David is planning on having a total of eight models finished in the next six months.
This build depicts The Float, a port-side hotel, which the main characters, Cecily and Daro, frequently stay at when traveling. Just the massive size of this build is impressive but the detail for which David is known shows up all through-out. I love the shingles on the roof, the subtle tudor-styling and the outward projecting walls. The wrap-around deck on the third floor and the overhanging 4th (3rd and half?) floor really gives the building some character.
I had the honor of being a beta-reader for the book and I enjoyed it immensely. A fantasy novel, it follows the main characters, veterans of a recent war as well as husband and wife, as they are forced to find their way as a variety of people and events pull at their loyalties and attempt to use them as pawns. The characters are very believable and genuine. I was really pulled into the world and can’t wait for the story to continue. The locations in the story are interesting and unusual. Also the system of magic used in the book is refreshingly unique and doesn’t overwhelm the story or characters, as happens all to often in the fantasy genre. I’m excited for the series to continue but I’m also looking forward to rest of David’s series. David and Clare worked closely on the book, but she did the writing. They are now working closely together to plan these builds, which David is constructing. It’s quite an interesting collaboration!
All hail His Hirsute Majesty Fuzzwuzzle the Third, Sovereign of the Fuzzlands, Ruler of the Furrywoollies, Emperor of the Hairy Isles, Grand Duke of the Downy Downs and Viscount of the Velvet Valley! Bow beneath the majesty of his beard and mustachios.
This amusing character brought to you by the ever-entertaining Djordje.
Grant Davis captures the exact moment of an explosion in his latest castle creation based on the siege of Helms Deep from Lord of the Rings. If you’re curious to see how the creation is built, visit MOCpages to for more.
