Mosaics - Planning With the Computer

 I want to suggest a few resources for planning out your build. The first one is Leo-cad, not Lego-cad, Leo-cad. This is a free downloadable program that you can "build" your structures on. Another is Windows "Paint" program. To use this for mosaics, zoom in all the way, (the "zoom" tool is on the bottom right corner of the screen. To zoom in all the way, click on the plus symbol until you reach 800) then use the "pencil" tool to create a small square.

Mosaics - Measuring 1

 I have often found, after building a mosaic, that it is off center. To avoid this, measure the object that you are going to try building. Then try to envision where the object is going to end up. If you have a Lego measuring tool, then use that. If you do not, then count out the studs on the surface of the baseplate.

Mosaics - Measuring 2

 You may not think that measuring is that important, but I have found the answer to be very different.
Here is a tip on how to measure lines. On straight lines which are two studs wide, when you switch to diagonal lines use 1x3s to create the same width that you were using when you were building a straight line. Hopefully you find this tip helpful.

Mosaics - Planning Then Building

 Although I haven't so far planned out any of my mosaics, I would recommend getting into the habit. Here's a way you can easily plan out your mosaics. Get out a sheet of graph paper. Use colored pencils or crayons to color it in. Then duplicate it on a Lego baseplate.

Mosaics - A Couple of Suggestions

 I would suggest, for building mosaics, to make the outline in whatever color you wish. If you want it to look cartoon, I would recommend using a thick, black line for the outline. If you want it to look more realistic, use a different color. (See Blog post "Autumn Trees." This is a good reference for more realistic mosaics)

Autumn Trees

The first thing I did when building this was to make the outlining of the trees in red.
Then I began slowly fill in the trees with orange and yellow.
Always try to use a darker color for the outline. This makes it stand out more against a background
(When building a mosaic, always build the outline first. This provides a guideline as you fill the colorful part.)

If you look closely at the sides of the path I have 1x1 round plates to simulate stones.

Chef Landini

It's Chef Landini!

I made his eye using a top-hat and a cone.

For the steam on the cup I used clear 1x1s and 1x2s.

I used 1x4 arches to secure the spoon in place.

His buttons are made out of two headlight bricks and 2x2 cylinders

Side view

Too bad he cannot make actual pizza! ;-)

Piano Bench - Sore Thumbs!

This piano bench gave me two things: a challenge and two very sore thumbs!
It was built over the course of three days. There are 6,000 bricks.



If you hadn't already guessed, I built a shell around our actual piano bench. This way we are actually able to sit on it.

Underneath the bench, on the crossbeam, I built a park.

Landon: May I play?
Minifigure: I believe you are too big.

Mmmm... Ice cream!

Yay! They caught the thief!

It is nice to take a swim on a hot day!

This is a picture of the park. Hey! That must make it a park bench!

I used gray vultures for the corner decorations on the bridge



  Side note: Most of the bricks in this bench were given to me for my birthday.
 So thank you very much to my relations!

(By the way: It will take a long time to take this apart! :) )