Tag Archives: Vignettes

Vignettes are like the haiku of the LEGO world. Usually built on a base 8 studs wide by 8 studs deep, vignettes show a little scene or a moment in time. But like written poetry, there’s plenty of variation on the basic theme.

Love is in the air and on the stairs in this medieval LEGO village

She was a high-town girl, raised in comfort. He lived in low-town, busking for coin. She hears a hum on the whispering wind. Could it be love? All that keeps these two apart is a short flight of stairs. Tomasz Bartoszek captures this romantic moment in LEGO with a scene that is packed with medieval detail and incredible parts usage. The brickwork throughout features some lovely SNOT (studs not on top) techniques, especially on that heavy wall through which the staircase rises. My favorite details are the large door that uses gaps between bricks to look like wooden planks, and the slate roof that integrates capes for a truly ramshackle look. The distinct colors and building techniques for the high and low towns make this scene of star-crossed lovers really shine.

Tomasz’ build won the runner up spot in the 2024 Summer Joust Competition “Stairway Tales” category.

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Meat and more are back on the menu in LEGO Isengard

After weeks without elevenses or second breakfasts, with naught but Ent-draughts to sustain them, you can feel the joy when Merry and Pippen discover Saruman’s private food stash. MorlornEmpire (secondary account of Eli Willsea, aka ForlornEmpire) recreates the scene in a delicious LEGO vignette. The builder is no stranger to Lord of the Rings vignettes, and again he showcases his eye for screen detail with dynamic composition at miniature scale. The lattice roof is my favorite feature, providing a nice contrast from the color and textures on the stone walls. Look carefully and you’ll see that the floor is flooded, but not so high as to ruin those barrels of Old Toby.

The scene was created for the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics 2024 for a final round duel against Isaiah Kepner, who ended up winning the competition with his tribute to Rohan’s Golden Hall feast.

A LEGO swamp full of stange mushrooms may hide a secret or two

When wandering through a LEGO landscape strewn with ruins, you would be advised to watch your step. Just ask Gus. who, as the cereator of this scene, probably has a good idea where it is safe to step to avoid the deep swamp water among the mushrooms. The whole scene is elevated, allowing fern fronds to barely emerge from the surface. With so many kinds of mushrooms you probably should also check your pocket guide to make sure you pick the right ones for your stew.

Touring the contryside on the back of a LEGO golem has its ups and downs

While there are certainly smoother ways to travel from point A to point B, they won’t be nearly as memorable as riding on the back of this stone golem by filbrick. Bonus points for being able to stay in your hotel room as you travel. The simple eyes and slightly open mouth give this golem a very friendly look, although I expect a bit of collateral damage may be unavoidable given the size of those feet. A fun part at the center of the chest is the leg from the infamous Astromech Chopper from Star Wars Rebels.

Raise a toast to the Golden Hall of the Rohirrim in LEGO

Of all the locations brought to life in The Lord of the Rings, Meduseld, the Golden Hall of the Horse Lords, is one of the most beloved. Isaiah Kepner recreates the building’s interior as Theoden toasts the victorious dead after the Battle of Helm’s Deep. The centerpiece here is the golden knotwork made from cleverly mixed tubes, window lattices, and other golden elements, framed by printed rune tiles. Isaiah meticulously matches the architectural details seen only in glimpses in the extended cut of Return of the King, including a perfect use of the stickered banners from Helm’s Deep and Isengard. Horses are integrated into the build with their heads used for wooden figureheads atop the columns, but I like to think that the Rohirrim actually have balconies where their horses can observe the festivities from above.

A peaceful LEGO oasis is the perfect place to spend a hot summer afternoon

I don’t know how y’all like to stay cool in the heat of summer, but I like what BrickheXe has come up with in this lovely LEGO watering hole. The mosaic pattern on the floor made from cheese slopes on their sides perfectly complements the decorative wall behind the fountain. One of my favorite architectural details is the onion-shaped openings along the wall made with four perfectly matched slopes and arches. That palm tree is also a simple but very effective technic.

A new gate to an ancient LEGO city

For some LEGO builders, each creation is a stand-alone work, but the castle creations of Andreas Lenander are an exercise in world building spread over years. Andreas has added to his Middle East-inspired city of Mophet, a medieval oasis of tan and teal, in various competitions and collabs over the years. The latest addition, The Blue Gate, is a great showcase for how much Leander’s talent for Islamic Architecture in LEGO has grown since he first introduced his fictional city. I love the flowing arch of simple 1×2 bricks and the anti-studs in alternating colors, examples of creating beauty from the simplest LEGO elements, and the use of colors – especially nougat and medium blue – is outstanding. Here’s hoping Andreas will continue to reveal Mophet’s many secrets for years to come.

So much metal in Tony Stark’s wardrobe!

The first one may have been made in a cave from a pile of scraps, but Tony Stark now assembles his LEGO Ironman suits in the most technologically advanced garage in the entire Marvel universe. We get a peek into this workshop of wonder all thanks to br.ickelangelo. Featuring six Iron Man minifigure suits in total, there’s plenty of detail packed into this vignette, whether it’s the old Stark Expo plans in a crate in the corner or the battery charging a suit on a stand in the background. I particularly like the robotic arms in the front-and-center apparatus, ready to peel our favorite superhero out of his souped-up tin can.

Stairway into shadows

The Summer Joust building competition challenged builders to create “stairway stories,” and most participants assembled their LEGO stairs upward. Isaiah Kepner takes a different approach with his model “The Shadowed Temple,” in which a wandering wizard approaches an ominous flight of stairs descending into the unknown. The surrounding wall features some impressive brickwork, mixing profile bricks, tiles, and ingots in every direction. For the trunks of the aspen trees, Isaiah borrowed a technique from Markus Rollbühler and incorporated Stormtrooper shin armor. Most impressive is the technique Isaiah devised for the cave itself, with a gradation of ever-darker bricks accentuating the darkness within. It’s an evocative scene and showcase of Isaiah’s growing skills as a castle builder.

Prepare to meet thy (map) maker!

Some of the best LEGO builds are the ones that not only have a story behind them, but that subvert expectations somewhat. Now I’m not talking about all the Nice Parts Use (NPU) in Eli Willsea‘s little vignette – although it is absolutely chock full of it. A wrench is used as a very sturdy-looking door handle, doors make for an elegant staircase, and candles mimic scrolls on shelves made out of Duplo elements. The bucket handles shoved into lever bases for the bookstand are cool too. This creation is titled “Madeline the Map Maker”, but is that really all she is? Look how brooding this place is… The dark red evokes something a little sinister to me. And it’s not helped by Madeline’s black robes. Perhaps we should be wary of where these maps might lead us!

Dueling wizard builds give us something to crow about

Sometimes great minds really do think alike, as evidenced by two rhyming vignettes created for the Summer Joust “Beast Masters” category. Each creation features a brick-built blue spellcaster and their over-sized corvid companion, but despite similar theming, the two models demonstrate very distinct approaches to setting a LEGO scene. First up we have “The Wizard and the Raven” by Ids de Jong. Another admirer described the build as having an “I Spy appeal,” which is a great way to put it, with so many fun elements from throughout the years decorating the scene. The human figure, for which Ids credits the style to Markus Rollbühler, is definitely bringing strong wizard energy with the clever beard technique utilizing Gandalf’s hair piece. I love the personality of of the crow with the nightmare eyes from LEGO Dreamzzz, a good friend who seems eager to deliver scrolls to distant lands.

Next is “Rook and Ruin” from builder Maxx Davidson (who’s been on a roll on the site lately with his whimsical creations!). Maxx’s vignette focuses a bit more on story as it captures the warlock mid-casting as his spell rips the ground asunder. I love the inspired use of a minifig arm for the warlock’s nose, the hand gripping a pair or roots to make the mustache. Nya’s Rising Dragon head makes for a wicked torso. The rook mixes smooth and spiky elements with a touch of pearlescent tiles to create some truly lovely plumage. Two mages, two crows, two magical builds!

This build brings joy (and other emotions too)

With Inside Out 2 making its mark in theaters, it’s only fitting that a vignette based on that delightful inner world would make it to our front page. This build by mc tung brings all the emotions from the first film to life: Fear, Disgust, Joy, Sadness, and Anger. As befits their onscreen appearances, no two figures are built exactly alike, and even Disgust and Joy, both of whose faces lack detailing, are instantly recognizable thanks to spot-on colors and shaping. And of course let’s not forget the flames bursting from Anger’s head. It’s all enough to bring a smile to your face.

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