Tag Archives: LEGO MOC

And everything under the sun is in tune

Every once in a while we get a build that is out of this world. Not only because of techniques or parts usage, but because it is a work of art made with LEGO pieces. Ring-Rise by Tom Loftus (Inthert) is exactly that. A colourful painting. A cinematic shot with perfect framing. Just an astronaut and his cat, all alone on a monochrome alien world, looking out on the colourful rings of a planet. A simple idea, flawless execution.

Ring-Rise

Tom knew he wanted to incorporate the famous basalt columns of Iceland into a build. The Alien Landscape category of the yearly Space Jam contest was the perfect opportunity. Layering them in shades of grey (black to dark grey to light grey) give the impression of light coming in from the space-scape beyond. The planetary ring uses Simon Pickard’s intricate curving surface technique that few have mastered. Tom spiced it up by making it as colourful as he could, evoking the psychedelic hues of nebulae and other heavenly bodies.

Check out more builds by Tom here!

This minifigure-scale First Order AT-M6 is a LEGO Star Wars beast that weighs in at more than 30 pounds

Since before he saw Star Wars: Episode VII – The Last Jedi, Rebel Builder had been wanting to create a First Order AT-M6 walker. The upgraded version of the classic AT-AT from The Empire Strikes Back was revealed to fans before the film’s release. Rebel Builder knew from the moment he saw it what his mission was. Of course, he had to wait to see the movie. And then he had to find as much source material as possible. He spent the next couple of years drawing on behind-the-scenes books, toy models, and theme park reference pics. In August of 2020, he began construction. The final result is a 33.5-inch tall, 31.2-pound model that dwarfs LEGO’s official Ultimate Collector Series 75313 AT-AT.

Click here to take a tour of the AT-M6

Automotive versus Arachnid

The wild ride that was Harry Potter’s experience at Hogwarts was surely extremely traumatic. Ron was obviously afraid of spiders but even Harry was jarred by this encounter from the Chamber of Secrets built by Stefan Johansson. The trusty, rusty Ford Anglia may have abandoned Harry and Ron after they crashed it into a tree but its loyalty never faded, as it proved by saving them from being eaten. Whether it has a mind of its own from Arthur Weasley’s tinkering or from all that time in the Forbidden Forest, it’s not going to let some giant creepy-crawlies munch on some kids.

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A mysterious, graceful, and deadly figure emerges from the dark

When I saw this ominous figure by Djokson, I was struck by its haunting beauty, in contrast to a few stark details, like the large purple disc serving as the head which I believe is a Ninjago spinner, and the tall blade on its back from a Ninjago dragon wing. The long thin arms, one sporting a whip, and the longer legs ending in very dainty feet provide the grace, while the many transparent purple details along the side of the torso add a sinister vibe.

OILSLICK

A little slice of Zeta Halo in the palm of your hand

It has been a while since the last Halo game, but The wait is over, with the release of Halo: Infinite, Master chief is back, and ready for action. TBB alumni Rod Gillies crafted a little slice of the massive and partially damaged ring which is the setting for the game in spectacular detail, with pine trees, rocky ground, one of the many alien artifiacts, and even the hexagonal structures that make up the ring below and around the surface. The scene by itself would be great, but miniature versions of four vehicles from both the Banished and the Space Marines are gravy on a very tasty dish.

Infinitely Small

A house fit for a forest elf

You can easily imagine this adorable hut, created by Tobias Goldschalt, hidden away, deep in a mystical forest. The build is oddly reminiscent of the dwellings featured in the Angry Birds films, but this cosy home has more of an earthy feel in its design. The building has a great bulbous shape to it, created by the large segments often used in hot air balloon models. The green wing pieces blend in perfectly with the overhanging leafy roof and the forest elf, from the collectible minifigures series 22, looks more than happy with his new accommodation.

A dangerous addition to the LEGO Botanical Collection

It’s a cold winter here in the US, and as I look out the window I can only wish that the snows would be replaced with the warmth and sun suggested by this lovely botanical creation from Andreas Lenander. Oh, sure, this Piranha Plant from the words of Super Mario may be classified as an invasive species, but look at the great detailing and construction here! From the fun flower pot/pipe, to the organic-yet-spiky stem, to the “V for victory” mouth, there’s just a lot to love. Its enough to make you forget that this plant wants you, and everyone who looks like you, dead.

Chop chop!

Built as part of the Iron Forge completion, Andreas has gone one step beyond by also sharing a great video that shows just how this chompy friend was constructed!

You know, Andreas wasn’t the first LEGO builder to take inspiration from the worlds of Mario. Check out some other super Mario-related sets and creations in our archives!

The black knight always triumphs!

“‘Tis but a scratch!” If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought W. Navarre built a large scale figure of that black knight. Yet, this formidable figure inspired by Dark Souls has no dismembered appendages at all and is actually threatening. While Navarre hasn’t shown the full figure yet, we see just enough. Leaning on his sword after a day of battle, the knight’s weary position conveys so much character. Navarre’s detailed build is not too cluttered, and we can easily tell what is what, and it works so well.

The Black Knight

“Alright, we’ll call it a draw.” Check out more amazing builds by W. Navarre here!

An ice cream is just the thing to beat the desert heat

I don’t remember where I learned it, but the way you can remember how to spell “dessert” vs. “desert” is that dessert has more S’s, and you always want more dessert. Well, thanks to Malin Kylinger, one lonely traveler is about to have both. This wonderfully constructed oasis in the sands invites us to enjoy some ice cream and cakes poolside as a respite from weary desert travel. But is it real? Or is it all just a mirage…

Mirage

A portrait of the artist in plastic – Frida KahLego

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created many amazing self portraits over her impressive career. Now, South African artist  Michelle Krüger has taken a fun twist to those works, and created a LEGO mosaic version using a huge array of colorful elements. This complex construction uses layers of bricks, plates, tiles, and even plant elements to create color values that aren’t currently possible in single element 1×1 tile or plate mosaics. This style also adds a lot of really interesting textures to the real-world build, rewarding the viewer for leaning in and taking a close look at just how those at-a-distance shapes are achieved.

There’s a lot happening in the worlds of LEGO mosaics lately. Check out other LEGO mosaics here on TBB for more featured builds and artists!

The Soviet Kirov cruiser is ready for battle!

You don’t have to be in the Soviet navy to appreciate this LEGO Kirov battlecruiser built by Kirill Simerzin. I mean, just look at how those spanner plates resemble round portals along the hull. The red star at the bow is also a nice touch. The builder doesn’t say much about this creation other than it comes from 1941. Wikipedia states that this craft takes its namesake from the Bolshevik revolutionary Sergei Kirov and was laid down in 1935 and finally decommissioned in 1974. An array of guns and two seaplanes makes this a formidable Soviet ship indeed. In my opinion; it’s удивительный!

Cruiser Kirov (1941)

If you’ve got the time, be sure to take a deep dive into history to see more military stuff from World War II in LEGO.

Mos Vespa: slow service, would not recommend.

In about a month or two when I regain Disney+ to watch The Book of Boba Fett I’ll get a chuckle over whatever hilarious point Iain Heath is making. The rest of youse can start laughing now because The Brothers Brick alumn is clearly up to his usual antics with a faux LEGO set this time depicting a Vespa-like speeder apparently seen in episode 3. Word on the street is there was a bunch of them. They were slow. They were shiny. Also colorful and appeared to belong to a gang sort of like the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I can relate because I was in a biker gang when I was nine. No bike. No other gang members. Just me in an orange “biker vest” my mom and I handmade from an old sweatshirt. I sure wish I had friends for my little gang and a badass agenda. Anyway, check out why Iain is consistently one of the most hilarious builders around.