We are pleased to feature another guest article from Deep Shen, a well-rounded builder who discusses the hidden math of LEGO, with this article looking at LEGO math from a different angle… or two. Deep’s portfolio of work can be found at Brick Builder’s Handbook, on his Flickr page, and on Instagram. About the “Sugar Grid” You’ve probably been hearing or reading about the “sugar grid” technique for placing LEGO pieces at angles. This term was coined by Chris Enockson, who has an excellent and fast-growing YouTube channel, Brick Sculpt, that talks about building techniques among other LEGO-related topics. There’s also a highly informative and well-received article by Arno Knobbe on this topic that was posted on New Elementary. So, how does the “sugar grid” fit into the framework of angled wall techniques that have been discussed in my previous articles on LEGO math (and were covered in my book, The LEGO Builder’s Handbook)? Let’s find out! Mathematically speaking, all...

We don’t talk about new LEGO sets much at BrickNerd—there are a plethora of other great sites that do that. However to help us keep the quality up and ads down, we need your help. If you are going to purchase any new LEGO sets and want to help out BrickNerd simultaneously, we ask that you use our affiliate link for LEGO.com. It is a great way to support community-focused journalism without costing you more than you already spend on LEGO. You can support BrickNerd at the same time you get your new Prize Machine, Krusty Burger, Happy Plants, Luxo Jr., Bluey sets, Balrog, Green Dragon or more. Or you could pre-order some amazing Spider-Man sets, Nike Dunks, or a Polar Express Train! Even if you just get a keychain using our link, we appreciate the help. You can see all the new sets available at LEGO using the following links:...

LEGO by nature lends itself to more square and rectangular shapes—it’s where most of us start: buildings, blocky vehicles, and squared-off attempts at capturing organic shapes. The ever-widening parts pallete allows for more rounded and smooth shaping, and there are many techniques for escaping the grid. Curves are still challenging but we can take advantage of the gaps between LEGO bricks to make curves! You can’t really talk about “Brick Bending” without looking at the work of Jeff Sanders. My initial exploration into brick bending is largely based on his videos. He truly pushes the brick in some fantastic ways. Check out his YouTube channel and website for some fantastic creations. His work tends to be on very large scales which is fun to look at all the geometric fun he warps the bricks into. Despite the sort of clickbait titles of his YouTube videos, they are well-produced and work you through the builds nicely. But...

Another month is nearing completion, and May had no shortage of great LEGO content from around the globe! Here at BrickNerd, we looked at the New Horizons game, announced the winners of the Imperial March contest, studied the new Space Shuttle and shuttle carrier aircraft (747) and couldn’t contain our delight with the Space Baby gift with purchase! We took a look at the important role color plays in LEGO builds, did a happy dance for the Keith Haring figures, and peeked behind the lens to see how much work goes into staging high-quality LEGO MOC photos. We looked at taking habitat models to the next level by integrating them into full-blown MOCs, looked at unique aspects of the Eurobricks community events, and got a few laughs when a panel of children tried to name the castle factions. We learned about two friends traveling to attend their first BrickCon (plus getting...

LEGO has recently started some promotions where you can earn double Insiders points on various sets. From now until May 31, you can earn 2x points on all LEGO Ninjago products. You can also earn twice as many points when you purchase the LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex (76968). This equates to 3250 Insiders points and is worth at least $25 in rewards. This promo will run until June 2. These two promotions can also combine with the LEGO Creator Children’s Day Teddy Bear (40763). As a Rakuten/Linkshare Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The post LEGO Double Insiders Points on Tyrannosaurus Rex and Ninjago Products appeared first on The Brick Fan. Original linkOriginal author: Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

Today’s guest article is written by Joseph Zawada, an AFOL out of Maryland and community ambassador of Charm City LUG. You can find his work on Instagram as faron_moc. How Sidelining My Dream MOC Reinvigorated My LEGO Passion The excitement of starting a new LEGO MOC is an incredible feeling: drafting ideas, referencing cool techniques you’ve screenshotted over the years, dumping pieces out of your part bins to tinker with. You’re excited to build something truly amazing. But sometimes you get a few days in, maybe a week or so, and you feel something might be wrong. The build isn’t clicking. You’re frustrated. You’re not having fun, but you keep going because hey, you already started, right? With any luck, you push through it and come out the other end with something wonderful to share, maybe you set it in the bin of table scraps to revisit later, or perhaps you...

LEGO has announced the winner of the LEGO Ideas A Twist of Nostalgia building contest which will become a future gift with purchase set. The winner is the Sea Serpent by HallowedBrick02 which is a re-imagining of the 6057 set from 1992. There were over 750 entries in the contest and it got dwindled down to 13 finalists for the fan vote. The build will no go into production and we’ll see it available probably about a year from now. The post LEGO Ideas A Twist of Nostalgia Winner Announced appeared first on The Brick Fan. Original linkOriginal author: Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

The fan vote for the LEGO Ideas Timeless Creations building contest is now live and you can choose the next fan made set coming to stores in the future. There are five finalists and they represent something that is iconic but is very recognizable and timeless. The fan vote ends on June 10 and the winning build will be announced on September 8. Detailed Classic Retro Television by FMDavid Rocking Horse by lexie_blue Vintage Sewing Machine by BrickStability Carousel Music Box by 2A2A Rustic Barn Lantern by cable_girl The post LEGO Ideas Timeless Creations Fan Vote Live appeared first on The Brick Fan. Original linkOriginal author: Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is 20 years old this year. I recently was able to view the film in theaters and it was a blast. More importantly, it reminded me of my endless pursuit as a kid for the definitive Anakin Skywalker minifigure. Anakin Skywalker is my favorite character in Star Wars. Though Luke is tough competition for #1. I’ve already made my definitive version of Anakin from the Clone Wars Micro-Series using official LEGO parts, as well as another appearance of Anakin in the series from his combat with Asajj Ventress. But if you were to ask me 15 years ago what my favorite appearance of Anakin was (outside of his appearance in the second volume of the Micro-Series), it would be from Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. And I’d still say that’s the case even today. Since the first wave of LEGO sets based...

LEGO has officially revealed another book nook set in the ever-growing line with the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook (10367). Releasing on June 1 (pre-order today), the set has 1,201 pieces and will retail for $129.99. The set features a book nook of the Bridge of Khazad-dum where Gandalf the Grey faces off against the minifigure scale Balrog. There’s even a plaque that displays Gandalf’s iconic phrase, “You shall not pass!” Recreate one of fantasy’s most iconic moments with the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook (10367) for adults 18+, which brings Gandalf’s legendary standoff against the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm to life in stunning detail. This DIY building set is a versatile piece of room decor that places a window into Middle-Earth on your bookshelf. Slide the book nook in between novels as a nod to the fandom, or...