BIONICLE: Battle For The Golden Mask

Basically, BIONICLE was my childhood, the 2 first years with the Toa/Bohrok/Nuva were the greatest in my opinion!

And now that BIONICLE is coming back, I feel the nostalgia kicking in, and learning about the Battle of the Mask competition held by LEGO across multiple sites, I just had to give it a try!

I haven't had much time, and been somewhat been restricted by parts/color shortage, so the result isn't as completed as i would want it to be.

Having to build a villain is the perfect theme for me, as I love to conceptualize and design such characters!

In this case, the initial idea was to build a character that would resemble the original Toas in their "protoform", devoid of element and color as they were until they put on their mask(referring to some of the first cg clips from 2001 where Tahu builds himself once out of the canister).

So it would in my mind have a very Toa like humanoid body, but with more details and functioning mechanics like pistons and a flexible waist.

The background story I had in mind was to have him as an ancient and powerful being, on of the very first bio-mechanical organisms to exist.

His story however would be a mystery, where did he get his powers from, why does he have a mask/face hybrid revealing teeth instead of a single mask, why are his arms different?

He may in ways be primitive, but still he has some elements that in some ways are much more sophisticated than the modern Toa, making you wonder how and why he came to be.

 The entry picture, it's the one where you get the best impression of his silhouette, however, the head may be a little hard to make out as I had poor light conditions and not enough time to prepare a proper photo shoot.

He has some stability issues in his hip, waist and shoulder area, so posing him dynamically was challenging.

I wanted him to be a decaying character, both his mind and body is falling apart, something I tried to visualize with his fully mechanical arm and use of teeth, making him look more creepy with a twisted smile.

The head was tricky, as it had to include a movable jaw, keep a more or less unique shape, and stay solid, so this is the best I could do with the frame I built.
The eyes ended up a little higher than intended, making it hard to see them unless you have a low angle.

Some rotation to give you a better idea of the build.

I really liked the back to shoulder connection, makes it feel like a more credible mechanic operating the shoulder movement.

Likewise with the legs, I was short on time and had yet to make an appealing solution for the knees or something else to cover the gap at the joint, in the end, turning out to be pistons making them look more mechanical.

That's about it, wish I had more time to justify my vision, but this'll have to do.

Wishing all entrants the best of luck, and now it's just to await the arrival of the Toa next year!


-Ragaru

Painted LEGO Boba Fett "Artifigure"

It's been about a year since I came up with the idea of "Artifigures"

Basically they are highly articulated (hence the "Artifigure" neame) yet relatively sturdy figures shaped around a base body.
They do appear somewhat bulky due to the joints, so armored characters will work out better.

So building a Boba Artifig, I realize how many parts in correct colors I lack (many not even being produced in the required colors) so I decided to round up old parts I don't use, such as the light gray, replaced by the light bluish gray in 2004, and then chose to paint it more or less realistically.

Mind that I only have these production shots, I managed to cover the model in too much sealant resulting in a far too thick layer, obscuring the color and texture.
So these are probably the best shots there will be of this one.

That said, here you are:

LEGO Boba Fett Artifig

Here he is posed after the added sealant, which as you can see leaves a thin white layer to it all

I have plenty of other characters constructed and under construction, based on other themes and characters, and some original designs.

I will probably put up one or more LEGO CUUSOO projects for Artifigs, given there is a genuine interest for it.

And for those interested in building instructions, I will come back with some soon enough!

Here are some of my physical in progress creations (I have several digitally designed ones as well).
From left: Artifigure "Proto Skeleton", Boba Fett RotJ (Existing colors), Boba Fett RotJ(Painted), Gabriel (Character from Dan LuVisi's Last Man Standing) and Metroid's heroine Samus Aran!

Additionally I have one of my most recent designs, simply a robotic drone character with great articulation, able to strike plenty of highly dynamic poses with elegance.

I hope you found this interesting, I myself am utterly amazed with articulated figures, which is the reason I even ended up creating these LEGO Artifigures.

It's a thing I would love to see being produced by LEGO themself, coming in neat palm sized boxes with appealing cover art.
These would naturally be aimed towards more mature builders, as they aren't constructed to withstand play in the same way Bionicle or Hero Factory figures have been.

The idea of Artifigures is oriented towards a new range of dynamic LEGO models, perfect for displaying your favorite characters in whatever pose you desire.

If you got any questions, don't hesitate to ask!


- Ragaru

- Giving LEGO Minecraft a Shot -

Now that LEGO has decided to increase the scale of the LEGO Minecraft line from Micro to Minifig size, and so are asking fans for help, I couldn't resist putting together something.

These following concepts, illustrates how I would like to see a larger scale LEGO Minecraft line.

Without no further ado, I present to you, My LEGO Minecraft vision:

Thinking along the lines of the Micro scale sets, I feel the modular element should be kept, as it would allow you to expand the base and block count and build larger structures, this image features 4 "Basic Sets" combined, therefore the 4 Creepers.

This set idea is the very most basic one, as it is at 134 bricks, and includes the most iconic elements of the game:
- Steve
- Creeper
- Grass/Dirt blocks

I am aware of the fact that the Steve design is so to speak identical to the Steve design made by Nachapon S.
However, I just recently discovered it,  so we've basically had the same idea independently of each other.

I saw LEGO Minecraft's Creeper designs, and found them to be lacking decent articulation, that's why I took the liberty of creating Creeper designs with articulation in both feet and neck.

I do personally prefer the second from the right, as it to me holds most of the immediately recognizable features, more so than the others.
The blocks are only there for size comparison.

This is basically the structure of the set.
We have the base with holes for the modular connections.
16 tiles in brown for the Dirt Blocks
16 tiles in green for the Grass Blocks
And 16 blocks that can be either type depending on how you build it.

I know it's not the most practical solution, as you would have to replace the top tiles to get the grass tiles to be on top and the dirt tiles underneath each time you place new blocks.
So that need some work.

I just hope I can contribute one way or another.



- Ragaru

The Dark Lord of Hyrule

Introducing a sketch of LEGO Ganondorf in his Twilight Princess appearance!

Using only existing parts I tried to carry as much of his essence into the brick format yet presenting it as realistic I can, taking into account the budget LEGO CUUSOO are operating on.

With Mingles' Zelda Project rejected, it rests heavier on mine in hope of bringing the Zelda franchise to the LEGO format.

Be sure to help and support it should you be a LEGO or Zelda fan!

- The Legend of Zelda Project -


- Ragaru

- The Super Mario LEGO Project -

LEGO CUUSOO SUPER MARIO PROJECT

Starting up my second LEGO CUUSOO Project, still at the Nintendo license front...

I introduce LEGO Super Mario!

This idea is simply about the fun and entertainment we find in the Mario games!

And the initial idea is a tribute to the 2D side-scrolling classics, I will eventually expand it further to the 3D games as well, especially inspired by the latest addition: Super Mario 3D Land.

So here is the idea:

One single product, contains all the parts you would need to build any one of these, and more, only limited by your imagination.

And that would leave you with the option to have all the sections, and build your favorites as desired,

as well allow you to expand your Mario World by every set added to your collection.

So it's really all about sections that connect to form a the world of Mushroom Kingdom and beyond.

Each set would feature 2 bases one for the foreground level, and one for the background scenery, in  miniature scale.

Connected it could look something like this:

And trying stay true to the series, the first section would give much of a nostalgic feeling:

Floating blocks isn't the easiest, so they just have to be kept up by transparent bricks.

And much of the focus is on the Brick Blocks, which you can read more about in my previous MINECRAFT entry.

Following up with more sections:

A pipe and a Brick Block, notice the use of green buckets as miniature pipes on the background, I do at least feel they add more to it.

More floating Brick Blocks.

The Finish Line, by the Flag Pole, one of the more iconic features of the classics.

And the Castle/Fort structure at the end. I chose to use the more recent designs as it stands out more in a rounded shape than a rectangular one.

As mentioned, it's all about the Brick Blocks, here you have several sections depending on how large structures you would build, the core is still the first single block, as it allows something of an unique experience when you stack them on top of each other!
I included 3 colours, the front is the standard brown brick colour, second the "underworld" colour, and lastly the golden colour found in various games but primarily you would associate them with the deserts of Super Mario Bros 3 and the later New Super Mario Bros, exemplary.

Then there are the Unique Blocks:

The iconic "? Blocks" or "Mystery Blocks", containing an item or coins.

The "Used Block", seemingly indestructible, they are what the Mystery Blocks turn into once it's contents had been hit out.

The "Note Block", or "Jump Block" allows Mario to spring into the sky, even above the clouds!

But there is of course need for items:

Simple solutions, trying to give the best expression, with the following items:
- Coin
- Mushroom
- Fire Flower
- Super Leaf
- Star
- 1-Up Mushroom

Then I'll introduce the Pipes:

They proved to be quite tricky to build keeping the aesthetics right yet size decent.
The core is built up by using parts only featured in the new Buildable Super Heroes, more specifically The Joker, and Iron Man.
It's a barrel piece, that proves the most ideal solution in terms of diameter and connection methods.
Still not perfect though.

And lastly..

Koopa Troopas, there really isn't a good way to have articulated Koopa Troopas and keeping their appearance immediately recognizable.. at least not in the details.

But I will be working on Minifigures and enemies, as well as  new set ideas and colour/theme variations in the time forward!

Hope you find this interesting!

-Ragaru

- LEGO Minecraft Blocks -

The Ideal LEGO Minecraft Block concept?

I've been having this idea for a while, and thought it would be worth sharing.

Basically you'd only need a 2x2 plate, 2 brick surfaced 2x1 bricks, and a 2x2 tile with centered stud.

The construction is simple and works brilliantly!

Holding such bricks/blocks in your hands just gives you an unique feeling, I don't know if it's nostalgia or what.. but it's there.

if you have these pieces you should try just to get the feeling.

Stacking several on top just ads more to it! 

Is this the ideal LEGO Minecraft solution?


- Ragaru

- 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

That Shield is marvelous!
I'll be returning with the painted version along with many more, later when I am closer to complete my Zelda Project.

The Boss Key Chest, unique as it looked in OoT, I had to make a more TP inspired rendition of it.

And then you Open up to reveal the Boss Key/Big Key.

Now then, off you go to fight the boss!

I will be returning with more LEGO Zelda and other LEGO related ideas in the time forward.

- Ragaru