This creation by Bryckland titled simply “The Grand Tower” is an excellent example of visual world-building in LEGO. The characters are about to do battle, and Alex has provided a snippet of a larger story on their Instagram, but I’m referring to the environs themselves, which evoke a sense of history. Comparatively, the titular tower is not so grand in stature but the beautiful build more than makes up for it. Throughout, the restrained use of varied colour suggests the aging, decay, replacement, and repair of both wood and stone as the seasons pass, and the texture achieved by roof tiles not fully “in click” lends further authenticity. Plus I have always appreciated good stonework and that beautifully crafted dome roof is just the cherry on top. Imagining what will come next, for “the Grime Brothers”, their unwelcome visitor, and for this alpine outpost, leave me eager for the next chapter…...

This year, we celebrate a very important anniversary in the LEGO community. And no, I’m not referring to the 50th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons, although that’s certainly an epic milestone. Instead, I’m talking about the 25th anniversary of Star Wars LEGO sets. For it was all the way back in 1999 with that star-crossed fusion of intellectual property that some of us first believed we could see our favorite bricks paired with D&D. Well, it’s finally happened with LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale. Coming in at 3,745 pieces, this set is based on the contest-winning design by fan Lucas Bolt, and sculpted into the final model by LEGO designers (and huge D&D fans) Mark Stafford and Jordan Scott. The set will release on the LEGO website on April 1st for LEGO Insiders (April 4th for everyone else), and retail for US $359.99 | CAN $469.99 |...

Jeff Chapman has been sharing his bewitching LEGO creations for less than a year, but we’ve already fallen under his spell. His latest build, a 17th-century Salem farmhouse, is uncannily accurate to the historical reference, and utterly haunting. Jeff uses an impressive assortment of printed planks for a slick finish that photographs incredibly well – especially under spooky lighting with the back-lit stained glass windows. The house’s simple shape hides some clever building techniques to pull off those lovely flush corners. It’s such an elegant build that transports you back to the time of the witch trials. (This build’s real-life inspiration is briefly seen in the film Hocus Pocus!) More than a marvelous builder, Jeff brings his creations to life on his Spooky Brixx YouTube channel. Each short video offers a detailed build overview, photo references, and a dash of animated story and effects that bring the history and haunts to...

Back in 2022, LEGO ran a contest on their Ideas platform asking fans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of tabletop RPG Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). The winner was announced last year, and today, we can see the final product. LEGO has unveiled 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale, a 3,745-piece set that will retail for US $359.99 | CAN $469.99 | UK £314.99 starting from April 1st for LEGO Insiders (April 4th for everyone else). Additionally: if you order your copy of this set before April 7th, you can get your hands on a free LEGO Dungeons & Dragons Mimic Dice Box. A special D&D adventure book will also be available from D&D Beyond and for LEGO Insiders, either as a free digital download or a paperback book for 2,700 Insiders points. A D&D LEGO Minifigure series has also been announced, with a launch date of September 2024. To celebrate all...

Dive into the chilly waters of the far north with this adorable LEGO build by seb71. This build features a host of micro-scale fauna for you to enjoy. The whale is made from a pair of balloon panels, and the extremely lost penguin is mostly made of black and orange teeth. The local Inuit is using a wand to fish for supper under the watchful eyes of a walrus and polar bear. I sure hope they have a plan to get back to their igloo; that polar bear looks hungry! The post An arctic diorama full of life appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Simon Friesen

Inspired by his time in Shibuya, the latest modular from LEGO Masters Sweden finalist Olle Moquist captures the shuffle of old and new that one feels walking the busy backstreets of modern Tokyo. Olle picked an unusual seed part for the Lotus Hotel, beige DUPLO cushions, which give the building a distinctive stud-free texture. I’m also really struck by how perfectly the vintage Homemaker theme‘s maxifigure works as a Buddha with his compassionate long earlobes. While this city center is grounded in a more realistic setting, the modular wouldn’t look out of place next to Ninjago City, and after a busy day of shopping or a stay at the Lotus Hotel, visitors to this LEGO neighborhood can presumably take the tram to Monkie Kid’s City of Lanterns. The post From City of Lanterns to Shibuya Scramble appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Jake Forbes

Titled simply “Castle with Three Towers,” this LEGO creation by builder Azurekingfisher is yet another stunning piece of art. The structure is predominantly colored in white and navy blue, creating a captivating contrast that immediately catches the eye. Upon closer inspection, intricate details emerge, such as stained-glass windows, water elements, and ornate building features. Each element reveals itself gradually as you spend more time studying or admiring the images. In the past, this builder has crafted intricate creations incorporating plant elements. Here, we notice a subtle integration of those elements as well. Check out the use of the use of the round plate element with clock printing, first introduced in 2016 with the release of 71040 Disney Castle.   Here, we witness the stained glass windows spring to life as backlighting illuminates through the trans-clear elements. And a closer look at the plant element integration and the stained-glass builds. The post...

A new LEGO builder on Flickr, by the name of Aero Explorer, is living up to their name with a neat model of a fantastical plane. Fantastical? Yes! Although it may look like real enough, this is a prototype private jet that appeared in one of the weirder Tintin comics: Flight 714 to Sydney. The parachute on the back is the biggest clue to its fanciful design. Even I know that when planes have parachutes, they’re normally kept on the inside. Anyway, this is a cracker of a model. I really like the way the fuselage tapers towards the nose… … And we get a bit of a clue as to how the shaping was achieved here. You can also see that there’s just about enough space for an interior. It sleek profile is only a few studs wide, so it’s impressive that minifigures can sit in it at all, never...

Is this not the outcome every LEGO creative builder aspires to when encountering something they want to recreate in LEGO? “Casita,” arguably the standout feature of Disney’s film Encanto, was released in LEGO form in late 2021. With the release of 43202 The Madrigal House, LEGO provided enthusiasts of all ages with a glimpse of the potential in using LEGO bricks to build “Casita” from the movie. Builder kopoppo_mama has skillfully blended creativity and photorealism to bring “Casita” to life using what one could only assume is an exceedingly large quantity of LEGO bricks. Check out some of the other “Casita” inspired creations that have been featured in the past here and here.   The post Casa de la Familia Madrigal: A brick-built Replica of Encanto’s Iconic House appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: John Trevino

This latest LEGO creation by builder Librarian-Bot takes us to the nostalgic sweet spot in the early 90s when fake glasses and Zupaz pants were cool- or so I thought. Looking back, it is quite possible anyone sporting fake specs, a crystal necklace, and baggy psychedelic weightlifter pants when clearly not being a weightlifter was never cool but a boy can dream, right? It’s like this creation, with its bold black-and-white color scheme and transparent bubble canopies whisks us away to a time when wanting to sex you up and being down with OPP (whatever that means) was a badge of honor. Maybe it’s time to don my Zupaz once again get out my little black book from 1991 and give a few hunnys a call. The pants had an elastic waist so fitting them onto my now paunchy frame shouldn’t be an issue at all. And like my Zupaz pants,...