Tag Archives: Dioramas

There’s nothing like a massive LEGO diorama to prove that you’ve arrived as a LEGO builder. The LEGO dioramas we feature here span everything from realistic medieval castles to scenes from World War II, and more than a few post-apocalyptic wastelands.

LEGO Melbourne 1972... and a quick message from our sponsors

For the third time (previous ones here and the supremely talented here), Michael Pianta (scruffulous) and I teamed up to present a 1972 era diorama at Brickvention 2014 based on the railroads of the great state of Victoria, Australia.

This time we chose our most urban setting yet in the APM Paper Mill in suburban Melbourne alongside some of its neighbouring suburbia. As usual, our goal was to create as realistic a display as possible, under the limitations of our collaboration (I fly my contribution in) with the specific targets of creating: 1) plausible landscaping, flora and fauna, 2) minimal gridding and, 3) realistic roads and rail. I’m happy enough with it to think we hit the targets.

On a sadder note, I’m using this flagrantly self-promotional post to announce my resignation from TBB as a writer/editor/curator/whatever the latest hip term for it is. After many years sharing my love of LEGO with you all, I need to focus my time and energies on other things. I even hope to start building more models again, although I’m not threatening that too strongly. I happily extend my thanks to Andrew, Josh, my co-bloggers new and old, and especially our readers for the fabulous time I’ve had here.

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Love However You See It

I think that no matter where you are in your life, we’ll all see something a little different when we look at this build by Brian Rinker (Âtin). Best enjoyed playing the youtube link included in the picture’s description.

Incredibly detailed Sydney Opera House, two years in the making

The amount of time and care put into this amazing cutaway by Ryan McNaught (TheBrickMan) and Erik Varszegi is absolutely mindblowing. While we’ve seen others tackle the intricate shapes of the iconic Sydney Opera house, the fully realized interior takes this build to a whole new level.

Eh, What’s up, Doc?

Matt De Lanoy (Pepa Quin) turns to a classic subject I’ve rarely seen in LEGO form before: Looney Toons. The figures are spot on. Now all we need is for Matt to build Elmer Fudd to hunt the wabbit and duck.

The Extraterrestrial View

I may have just blogged something by Jimmy (6kyubi6) yesterday, but he’s on a roll, and this alien moonscape is just too cool to not highlight. The non-photoshopped planets and stars are excellently done, and the space dump truck is sweet too.

The Grass Is Always Greener in Sandy Lego

Matt (MonsterBrick) has a cheery outlook today, bringing us this slice paradise in the pastoral plastic world of the brick. In keeping with his usual M.O., Matt has lots of nifty parts-usages, most notably the creative rainbow and that lovely little well. The classic scalloped-edged sun rising over the hills made from the jungle headdress is also a nice touch.

The Carolers in the Cold

As much of North America is bracing itself for an extremely cold week (forecasts call for temperatures in the 30s in sunny Florida, even), Matt De Lanoy (Pepa Quin)’s posted this darling scene of carolers out in the blistery cold. I do hope for their sakes the temperatures, if in the single-digits, are at least on the positive side of zero.

The Hobbit’s Lake Town as it could have been

I’m sure many of you now have seen The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug–or at have read the book. It offers such rich locations, and I’m glad to see some start to crop up!

Lake Town offered something of a welcome rest for the group heading toward the Lonely Mountain, but of course things never just go the way they’re supposed to for the protagonist of any tale. Fianat has presented Lake Town the way he felt it could have been, and I have to say I really dig his version.

Ærsceaft Brycg, Nædercynne

I admit it–I don’t have the foggiest idea on how to pronounce the title of this fabulous bridge. So I’m not going to try. James Pegrum (peggyjdb) probably can. Either way, this lovely little bridge tells a story of a town’s annual tradition of jumping off a bridge.

Step right up! to the LEGOLand Circus

There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned about the latest model built by Nick Barrett (TechnicNick), the LEGOLand circus. Before there were minifigs, LEGO already made the much larger maxifigs (although nobody called them that at the time). Their upper torsos and heads were specialised parts, but their bodies were brick-built. I had a few of these as a child and my sister had a much larger collection. Nick, who is a few years older than me, has combined these classic figures with modern parts and top-notch build techniques in this fantastic model.

Apparently I’m not alone in liking this, because Nick’s model won the 6th annual MocOlympics contest. Check out the details (and what happens after the fuze on the cannon is lit) on MOCPages.

The Geher 9 Mecha Stops for Maintenance

I missed this MaK creation, when Kosmas Santosa ( first posted it. Fortunately, he’s followed up with a nice little scene, giving me a chance to blog this cool mecha. The tool cart and gas can are both nice details that help make the scene. The builder also found a nice chunk of broken down wall for background, it looks great.

The Crown Knights’ Castle on the Rocks

It comes as no surprise that Kiwi builder David Hensel (Legonardo Davidy) has produced another fantastic castle. I really like the base on this one, as David is perfecting the slope-built rock technique. The wood-plank front door is also quite nice, and the stone walls have just enough texturing to look appropriately weathered without going overboard.