Monday, September 30, 2024

LEGO Black Monarchs Heraldry on Playmobil Knights

In the first image, you’ll see a close-up of a Playmobil knight proudly wearing a tabard that I created, featuring the iconic logo of the LEGO Black Monarchs faction. In the second image, there are three knights in full armor. Two of them carry shields with an alternative Black Monarchs logo, and one knight holds a lance adorned with a Black Monarchs banner. In the background, you can spot a large banner leaning against the wall, also displaying the Black Monarchs emblem.

For those unfamiliar with the LEGO Black Monarchs, they’re one of the classic medieval factions. 

They were a formidable presence in LEGO's medieval universe, ruling with authority and strength. Their designs were simple yet powerful, and they’ve always been one of my favorite LEGO factions.

What I really enjoy is combining LEGO and Playmobil heraldry. There’s something special about using LEGO knight designs on Playmobil figures and vice versa. It allows for a crossover between these two iconic brands, blending their styles in a way that feels both nostalgic and creative.

And let’s be honest, being able to use both #LEGO and #Playmobil in the same image is pure joy for me! Personally, I’ve never seen them as rivals where one excludes the other. For me, there’s no Team LEGO or Team Playmobil—they complement each other, and both offer endless possibilities for creativity.




LEGO Knights Jousting Duel – Custom Heraldry and Accessories

This scene captures the intense moment of a duel between two custom LEGO knights. In the foreground, one knight is seen from behind as his horse rears up, kicking up dirt, ready to charge with his lance aimed forward. In the background, the opposing knight has already lowered his lance and is rushing toward his opponent in full charge.

What makes these knights special are the custom details. The knight in the foreground wears a cape and barding that I made myself, featuring the heraldry of the Scaricamazza family. If you're into heraldry, I highly recommend checking out Dario Scaricamazza’s work on Instagram. His designs were a great inspiration for this.

As for the knight in the background, his barding and shield feature one of my favorite heraldic designs from the 90s Playmobil knights—a yellow wyvern on a purple background. It’s a nostalgic nod to one of the factions I grew up with, and I really enjoyed recreating this iconic design for LEGO.

Other accessories in the scene include armor and lances from Brickwarriors, which add a lot of authentic medieval flair to the figures. Finally, the knight in the background sports a beautiful bascinet helmet that I found on AliExpress, and it really completes his armored look.

It’s always fun blending custom-made heraldry, classic LEGO elements, and accessories from different sources to create something unique. This duel scene feels like a real clash of knights from two different worlds—the Scaricamazza legacy meets the Playmobil faction from my childhood, all brought together in LEGO form!



Imperial Guard of Krieg Diorama with Custom LEGO Minifigures

I’ve always been a fan of the Death Korps of Krieg from Warhammer 40K, so I decided to bring them to life in a diorama—but with a twist. Instead of traditional miniatures, I used unofficial LEGO minifigures that I found on AliExpress. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the quality, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. These figures are well-made, detailed, and really capture the grim, stoic vibe of the Krieg soldiers.

In the diorama, you can see the squad emerging from the ruins of an Imperial palace. The sergeant leads them from the front, while in the background, the Commissar watches over them. Now, unlike other regiments of the Imperial Guard, the soldiers of Krieg don’t need a Commissar to inspire courage—they already embody relentless loyalty. Instead, the Commissar's role here is to prevent them from becoming too zealous and throwing their lives away unnecessarily in their quest for self-sacrifice. Krieg soldiers are known for their grim determination and readiness to die in the Emperor’s name, often needing a Commissar to remind them not to waste their lives pointlessly.

One of the highlights of this piece is the flag bearer, standing next to the Commissar, carrying a regimental banner that I made by hand from fabric. I’m quite proud of how it turned out, and it really adds that personal touch to the scene.

On the topic of these custom LEGO figures, I know there’s some controversy regarding unofficial products on platforms like AliExpress, especially when it comes to intellectual property and copyright. These figures are not official LEGO products, but they are an affordable alternative for those looking to add something unique to their collection. I do understand the importance of supporting official creators, but sometimes, fan creations and custom figures allow for more creativity and accessibility, especially in niche communities like ours.

Overall, I’m really happy with how this diorama turned out. It’s a unique take on the Death Korps of Krieg, mixing the grimdark aesthetic of Warhammer 40K with the playful and creative world of LEGO.






Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Brickperium’s “Cuirass of The Silver Lilies” & “Sallet” Helmet Review – A Must-Have for LEGO Knights!

In this post, I’m excited to share my review of some amazing LEGO-compatible accessories made by Brickperium. In the image, you’ll see a knight wearing the Cuirass of The Silver Lilies and the Sallet helmet, both by Brickperium. The knight also wields a cavalry lance from Brickwarriors, another fantastic brand.

I personally painted the armor and helmet, applying a subtle weathering effect to give them a more realistic look. I also created the caparison for the horse and the banner, featuring the emblem of the LEGO faction Dragon Masters.

I highly recommend Brickperium’s accessories, which have just become available. They add a stunning level of detail and realism to your LEGO knights. I'm also a huge fan of Brickwarriors, having used their products for nearly 10 years! The only minor issue I’ve encountered is that the Sallet helmet is a bit too tight on LEGO minifig heads, making it hard to remove.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate these accessories a solid 9

They look fantastic and bring your LEGO knights to life! Be sure to check out Brickperium’s wide range of accessories on their website.

Stay tuned! In the coming weeks, I’ll be releasing a video tutorial on how to create your custom banners, flags, and capes using fabric.




Monday, August 12, 2024

Back on the open sea

Here we go again, I managed to get back to the beach, and this time I decided to bring not one, but two galleons: 

the Imperial Flagship and the Bluebrixx Brigantine. 

The plan was to take some photos of both ships together, but I couldn’t find a good way to capture a nice shot! I’ll try again. 

I also had to wait until the evening for the beach to clear out a bit, as it was really crowded! 

My camera probably works better with stronger light, but I really like the rosy evening glow. Flags made by me













Monday, May 27, 2024

Italian Heraldry: Castracani degli Antelminelli

 Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli (1281-1328) was a famous condottiero and lord of Lucca. Born into a noble family, he initially distinguished himself as a soldier in the service of the Ghibellines. His military and political skills allowed him to emerge as the leader of Lucca, where he established an authoritarian regime.

Castracani fought against the Guelphs and other rival city-states, consolidating his power in Tuscany. Among his most notable achievements is the victory at the Battle of Altopascio in 1325, which allowed him to extend his control over large areas of Tuscany. Besides his military prowess, he was known for his intelligence and political cunning.

He died in 1328, leaving behind a legacy as a great military leader and skilled politician. His figure was also immortalized by Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote a biography of him, contributing to his lasting fame in subsequent centuries.