The Frontier

In my diorama titled The Frontier, a tense scene unfolds as a band of soldiers, possibly Hessians, emerge from the shadows of a dense forest. Accompanied by a group of Native allies, they approach a frontier homestead cautiously. 

Inside the home, a colonial family prepares for the unknown. The husband stands by the window, gripping his musket tightly, his gaze fixed on the advancing figures. Behind him, his father-in-law shields the man’s wife and her sister, both women visibly tense. The younger sister clutches a kitchen knife, hastily grabbed from the set dining table, ready to defend their home if necessary.

The scene draws inspiration from the timeless, suspenseful frontier narratives of John Ford’s The Searchers and Drums Along the Mohawk. Set in the mid-1700s, this diorama captures the mix of fear, determination, and unity in the face of an uncertain encounter, immersing us in the atmosphere of America’s early colonial frontier.

Lego Imperial Guards

Shot of my LEGO Imperial Guards company on the march! Leading the formation, we have the officer and the flag bearer carrying a custom-made flag on fabric, complete with the iconic Guard emblem. I added a weathered effect to the flag, giving it a worn look that speaks of hundreds battles fought against pirates.

The setup was shot in RAW mode with a woodland backdrop on a TV screen, with some real soil added in the foreground for extra depth. I’ve also mixed in both original LEGO pieces and non-LEGO products purchased on Aliexpress.

More Knights

The collection of five photos captures Playmobil knights with heraldry inspired by both Game of Thrones and LEGO factions. First, we have a Playmobil knight bearing the heraldry of House Bolton, with its sigil of a flayed man, embodying the brutal and ruthless nature of the house. Alongside him is another Playmobil knight, this time with the sigil of House Frey.

In the next image, a group of Playmobil knights proudly display the Bull's Knights emblem. Complementing the display are two Playmobil knights sporting the heraldry of the LEGO Crusaders.

Finally, in the last photo, a Playmobil knight with the Fright Knights emblem adds a dark and eerie contrast to the other figures. The Fright Knights, known for their sinister aesthetic.

This collection serves as a tribute to both the storied factions of Game of Thrones and the bold and imaginative world of LEGO, blending medieval symbolism with the craftsmanship of Playmobil figures.

Point d'argent, point de Suisses

"Point d'argent, point de Suisses" — a phrase meaning "No money, no Swiss" — this diorama captures a battalion of Swiss soldiers advancing into battle. Using high-quality, unofficial Lego minifigures from AliExpress, I was struck by the craftsmanship of these pieces despite their unofficial origins. Originally designed as grenadiers of the 1st Swiss Regiment in Napoleon's Grande Armée (circa 1805), they wore fur caps; however, I customized them with tricornes to depict the Swiss troops who served the French Crown throughout the 1700s.

This diorama reflects the Swiss mercenaries' reputation as elite soldiers, valued for their discipline and courage, as noted by figures like Prussian King Frederick II. Inspired by René Chartrand's historical work, "Louis XV's Army: Foreign Infantry and Artillery," and the stunning soldier illustrations by Eugène Lelièpvre, I also included two flags: the royal standard, with its white field and golden fleur-de-lis, and the Swiss regiment’s Flammé flag. These elements honor the foreign regiments who were indispensable to French military power during the 18th century.

House Swyft of Cornfield

In this photo, I’ve portrayed a Playmobil knight as “Sir Tyler Swyft,” inspired by the house of Swyft from Game of Thrones. Known for their striking sigil—a bold blue bantam rooster on a yellow field—the house motto is “Awake! Awake!” fitting perfectly for a valiant, watchful knight. I crafted the tabard and shield with this emblem, aiming to capture the medieval, noble look of Cornfield’s champion. Sir Tyler Swyft’s name may bring a smile as it echoes a more modern cultural reference, but he stands proudly as a guardian ready to defend his keep with the fierce vigilance of his house’s rallying cry.

The Golden Swan Knight and the Black Baron

In childhood, the Golden Swan Knight and the Black Baron were characters that seemed alive in the vivid world of Playmobil, representing ideals of knighthood and rivalry. For years, I imagined epic battles and chivalrous quests, where the Golden Swan Knight’s noble grace was pitted against the Black Baron’s mysterious darkness, especially in that catalog scene where they faced off near the Black Baron’s fortress, a captive damsel just visible in the background.

In the first photo, I’ve highlighted the Golden Swan Knight with unique elements—a custom caparison, shield, and banner crafted to match his signature iconography. In the second, the Black Baron stands with his loyal knights, each bearing wyvern-emblazoned standards in shades of deep purple, painted and designed to capture their ominous presence. The personal touches here echo the nostalgic memory of that Christmas when my father gifted me a play set with the knight’s tournament tent, alongside a beautiful illustrated book of King Arthur by Howard Pyle, igniting my lifelong fascination with medieval lore.