A Simple LEGO Kingdom

How to Create the Illusion of Detail

Bad news: there is no formula for creating an awesome LEGO castle like this one. Although Igor Elshin (Sunder_59) built this model more by feel than by a set of rules, he was able to share a few pointers with me.

Looking over Kazum’dar Castle from a bird’s-eye view, I was impressed by the clean appearance of the model. So I asked Igor, “How do you keep from over-complicating your micro-scale builds?” Read his answers below.

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A “Little” Serenity

3 Tips from a First Micro-Scale Build

Firsts are important. I still remember riding a bike for the first time – it left a lasting impression. Learned skills become automatic, but passing those skills along to others is more difficult.

 

As a father of three young children, I have been looking for activities that my whole family can enjoy. Lately I have been taking some time with my three-year-old to play with LEGO from Classic set 10698. I’d like to share 3 tips that led to this little model.

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Coookieeeee!!!!! Rum-rum-rum-rum-rum

The Thinking Behind This One-Track-Minded Monster

Cookie Monster and his cravings are instantly recognizable in this classic LEGO creation from Kos of KOSbrick.com.

Using imagination, memory, and patience, Kos assembles brilliant models like this one and “Walking Stick” from the Up movie shown below.

When I asked Kos how he creates such visually appealing builds, he gave me three stages of idea development.

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Fred and Barney in Plastic Caricature

The World's Favorite Prehistoric Cartoon in a Few Bricks

Johan Alexanderson doesn’t limit his illustration skills to a piece of paper. A lover of comics, Johan adds dimension to cartoon classics by building them into LEGO bricks.

His models, Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, have been featured in Amazing Brick Faces, available free here for a limited time.

A part time web developer and freelance illustrator, Johan plans to launch a comic book for children this year. His aptitude for comic drawing shows through in these iconic caricatures.

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T-Rex on Display

How to Achieve Accuracy With Limited Detail

At first glance, this LEGO Tyrannosaurus Rex appears to include every detail of the giant lizard. You see the wide-open jaw and the tiny hands.

However, the missing components may be even more impressive. This T-Rex has only two teeth, and he doesn’t have typical coloring. Builder Aurore & Aube shares how he is able to achieve accuracy and artistry without obsessing over unnecessary details.

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No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of This Wall Mount

Felix Jaensch's Mastery of Old-Fashioned Bricks

Felix Jaensch has a knack for creating realistic animal faces from traditional LEGO bricks. This tiger was so popular that it sold out as a custom LEGO set on MOC Nation.

This tiger is one of three builds featured by Felix in the brand new ebook, Amazing Brick Faces available for free here for a limited time.

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