Tag Archives: Microscale

Some say “Go big or go home!” but it takes real talent to compress something down to just a few studs and still keep it recognizable. Of course, many of the micro models we feature here aren’t so small after all, whether it’s a vast cityscape or starship.

50-inch-long Executor-class Star Dreadnought is a monochrome monstrosity in search of Rebel forces

Don’t you find it unfair that it took the Rebels just a couple of movies to destroy everything the Empire had built across the whole galaxy during many, many years? A Star Wars fan and an extremely talented LEGO fan one case shows compassion to the Empire with a jaw-dropping replica of the iconic Executor class Star Dreadnought ship. This 52-in/132-cm ship consists of more than 7,300 pieces; this is even more pieces than in the biggest LEGO Star Wars 75192 UCS Millennium Falcon set!

See more of this huge LEGO Star Wars ship

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Fifty shades of green

This microscale LEGO landscape by Emil Lidé offers a picturesque insight into the expansion of the LEGO colour palette — particularly in green. The model’s colour scheme effortlessly recreates a realistic forest feel, and the variety of colours is supported by the variety of construction techniques used amongst the trees. Beyond the forestry, there are some lovely touches — don’t miss the tan Technic pins used to create the wheat field, and the fence built from brown minifigure hands. The only thing I’m unconvinced by is the elaborate border on the diorama’s base — I think it distracts from the central build and would have been better as a plain construction. However, that’s a minor quibble with an otherwise excellent creation.

Beautiful Micro-builds of Niklas Rosén‎

You may remember back in January we featured instructions for a tiny typewriter by Niklas Rosén. After seeing more of his gorgeous builds we decided to feature highlights from his Flickr collection. Niklas tells us it’s the shapes that give him the inspiration to create everyday household objects. Here he is trying to expand his Monofig collection with this nifty airbrush kit with paints.

His favourite among his eclectic collection is the elegant antique clock. I love the simplicity of his gravity-defying tap with water splash motif.

Click here to see more awesome mini-builds!

Great little space to hang around

Here’s a tiny slice of futuristic LEGO from Blake Foster — a cool spaceship in an equally-smart hangar. The ship itself is a masterpiece of microscale building, boasting an impressive depth of texture for such a small creation. Blake has made the most of the details moulded into the chainsaw handle element which makes up the core of the craft, but it’s the chunky droid arms used to create the thruster fins which give the ship its distinctive shape and character. Set the craft in a neat little hangar (featuring binocular parts used to create pillars) and couple with some excellent macro photography, and you’ve got a great piece of LEGO microscale.

Surrender your life to the tyrant of the abyss

Who is the pirates’ greatest enemy? Imperial navy? Or is it really the mysterious ship-devouring monsters of the deeps? William Navarre tackles the latter with his latest creation, pitting a pirate ship against a gargantuan kraken. Of course I do not envy the pirates their futile fight, but seeing a kraken would probably be worth it either way…

This is a really dynamic image, owing this impression to the expressive curves in the monster’s tentacles and the perfect little tilt on the ship. As expected from Navarre, the build is full of intense textures and complicated techniques coupled with unique part usage. What most builders avoid like the plague, the builder uses to his biggest advantage: the water is more than a base or even just a blue background, Navarre has built it to show the forces at work with waves and splashes corresponding to the action in the scene.

The Resistance arrives at micro LEGO Takodana

Didier Burtin showcases a huge Star Wars moment in a small scale with a micro Battle of Takodana scene. The low-flying, wave-making X-Wings are equally as eye-catching in LEGO as they are in The Force Awakens. Though the X-Wing formation is the highlight for me here, Didier’s detailed microscale rendition of Maz Kanata’s Castle won’t go overlooked.

An artistic recreation of an artistic recreation of a medieval castle

Motivated by a fictional castle building contest, Isaac Snyder has made a questionable move by recreating the Lichtenstein Castle, located in the non-fictional Germany. Although it might seem like a complete miss on the contest’s rules, it turns out surprisingly appropriate, because the castle in question is not of medieval origin and never served a defensive role. It was built in the nineteenth century from romantic inspiration.

The LEGO version is as much of a work of art as the original. The colours themselves are notable, as most builders are afraid of doing what so many real-life castles do: using the same colour of stone in the castle itself as the rock it is built upon. The mix of dark green and dark brown in the landscape down a bit lower also add a very natural feeling. I love all the parts used throughout the build, from grille tiles and lever bases to 4×4 hinge plates used as crenellations.

Micro Ninjago City for all your micro ninjas!

I must admit the fascinating set 70620 Ninjago City is one of my biggest LEGO dreams. But the only reason I can’t get it yet is its enormous size; I’m simply running out of empty spaces in my room! Luckily, Simon NH gives me a little hope — a very accurate tiny copy of the set that occupies no more than 12×12 LEGO studs.

Describing this wonderful creation would be a dreadful challenge of listing each and every single piece used for its facade, because each of them precisely copies countless accessories from the original 70620 set. So, let me call it a magnificent creation and get back to enjoying pictures of it… And if you’re not into ninjas, check out this equally wonderful tiny copy of 21310 Old Fishing Store.

Still don’t like the UCS Hoth set? Maybe a tiny version will win you over

When the Ultimate Collector’s Series (UCS) 75098 Assault on Hoth set came out, it was strongly disliked, which carries on even today. Seeking to miniaturise it and make the set a bit more likable, IamKritch has remade it in microscale. Minifig tool pieces are used a lot here, with screwdrivers, hammers and wrenches as various laser barrels. One hammer is even used as an aerial.

The minimalist Tauntaun in the back may just be the best part.

Pint-sized castle packed with style

It can be a challenge to find a unique perspective on capturing some of the things that make a good castle work on a small scale. But I think this model by Dwalin Forkbeard really nails it. To begin with, the multi-angled rockwork and landscape is an excellent rendition of techniques more commonly seen on a much larger scale.

Using loosely connected plates curved into an arched bridge is genius, and the wooden window shutter makes the perfect gate door. The fact that each tower is a different size and the combination of stone and wood create a neat effect as well. And did you notice the minifigure helmet as a roof of that interior tower?

Incredible LEGO diorama of London has everything from Parliament to the London Eye

At a glance, this view of London hardly looks like a LEGO model at all. Even though the scale is tiny, builder Rocco Buttliere has packed it with amazing details. Encompassing the famous landmarks on both sides of the Thames, the giant model features the London Eye, County Hall, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Rocco has long been known as the master of LEGO architectural models, from downtown Chicago to the humble Rosenwald apartments, and even a 12-foot long Golden Gate Bridge, and this new architectural masterpiece easily stands with the best of them.

Click to see more of this stunning model of London

Tiny LEGO version of Manila Cathedral

Here’s a LEGO model worthy of a little worship. Gerald Cacas has put together this wonderful microscale rendition of Manila’s Cathedral. There’s an impressive level of detail on display here, with smart texturing around the base, at the top of the walls, and on the dome. My head hurts just looking at the brickwork that’s gone into the belltower.

Modelling an existing building with any sort of accuracy at this scale is an achievement in itself, but to include a detailed interior? That’s just showing off! Gerald does exactly that with a lift-off roof revealing the inside — complete with pews and altar. This is excellent microscale work.