- Textured LEGO Zelda Prototypes -

Bringing realism to LEGO bricks

A collection of some LEGO Zelda based "Textured" prototypes.

It's basically the idea of applying a feeling of more realistic materials and thus textures to LEGO pieces, using a variety of paints, I've simply termed it "Textured LEGO" as it has grown to become it's own art form in my eyes.

Painting LEGO pieces is a very unnatural way to work with the medium, and every brick subjected to the painting process, feels like a sacrifice, therefore I chose parts I am less likely to be using in the future, or parts with noticeable scratches, dents or other imperfections.

It all started out when painting some LEGO prototypes in the desired colour, due to the lack of correctly coloured parts.

Eventually, as an artist and sculptor/painter, I felt the urge to test out the potential of LEGO parts as a base for realistic elements.

And so it began:

First off, an ancient chest inspired by the ones found in the depths of the Great Sea in the Wind Waker.
I tried to get the feeling of corroded iron, weathered trough ages it's been forgotten at the bottom of the sea, as indicated by marine organisms attached.
By it's side is a rusty iron key as well.
I'll be getting back to the Boss Key Chest further down.

Although not LEGO, the increased use of fabric in LEGO products made me see the potential applied to an reoccurring item of the Zelda franchise, so the result ended up as a fabric "Dungeon Map".
With the right density/fabric type, it does easily fold itself and stick well in the hand of a minifig.
I could really see this applied to other items such as, newspapers and parchment scrolls.

Concerning the use of scrolls, I figured some kind of container concealing a scroll/Dungeon Map would be suitable.
The result was simply two 1x1 cylindrical bricks at each end of the scroll.

And here you see how well it fits into the ancient iron chest.

Visually I've always loved the compass design of Wind Waker.. the golden/brass like edge at the top just compliments the blue colour so well.

Some corroded weapon tests, including the "Ordon Sword" or "Hero's Sword" if you'd like.
Again the compass, and an Octorock whom I ended up giving an uneven white paint application, as it had almost dried out at the time I was to paint it

My personal favorite has to be the Lantern it's so simply built yet it radiates so much of an iconic feeling.
The handle is made by reducing the length of a standard LEGO key.

Wooden Crate and two 3x1 tiles, painted with several layers of drying paint to get the rough wooden panel feeling.

Four 3x1 tiles with a darker tint to get the feeling of a wooden stain effect.
I could imagine applying such tiles to an entire LEGO ship deck to see the amount of realism it would cause to the iconic bricks.

A metal container and Boss Key Lock, mostly inspired by the ones found in OoT and WW.

The stained wood effect grew on me so I applied it to several other objects such as the barrel and the "islander mask".

A Deku Baba, it's lacking it's tongue as I was in the middle off applying a gloss coating when I took the shot.

My own LEGO Epona prototype, I was working on it until it was revealed that LEGO would introduce new horse figures by the introduction of the LOTR line.
The past 2 1/2 months it has been stored away in wait for me to find time to complete it.

Although not textured yet, I would like to introduce my Medium Scaled Figures or simply "Medifig" as I've decided to term them.
Here is an Iron Knuckle, first introduced in The Adventure of Link, they have marked themselves as the elite of enemies, along with the Darknuts, these may be among the most interesting armoured humanoid enemies in the franchise.
Although the construction is very weak and unpractical, it does allow great articulation for a figure of this scale and construction.
In total it holds about 24 points of articulation if you are to include the axes of rotation per connected brick.

Following up is a Stalfos, among my favorite enemies of the entire franchise, topping skeletal warriors is a tough challenge.
The final design needs a more consistent rib cage design, but this will have to do for now.
And yes, the construction of this one is even more fragile an unpractical than the Iron Knuckle.

One of the first prototypes, trying to portray a rough impression of the Zora armoured Link.
The Hylian Shield is one of Mingles wonderful constructions, printed by Shapeways
Be sure to check out: Mingles Shop