LEGO Hogwarts

[Duke]

Excellent update, this is looking very nice and makes me look forward to what you're heading towards. The tan archways look nice and I think my favourite part is probably the stairs set into the rock. In terms of advice/improvements on it I would just say that the area on the left of the hut next to the tree looks a little too jagged (just on that corner, not where the brown and green is), also the stairs might benefit from smooth plates but then if you're building a large scale MOC you can't really plate everything . I'm not a huge fan of transblue water, but the effect is quite nice for achieving an appearance of depth, however if you used conventional blue.. it would really perfect the MOC for me as you could use white around the edges of the land, moving towards light blue and then normal blue.

Anyway, as I said, very very nice!

[Skipper 24]

Well I haven't played the game but it looks like a nice MOC anyway. It's even better because it's in tan. I like how you made the lake (?) with trans-bricks. Great start .

[Matn]

Thanks!

Yes, it's a part of the lake.

But it isn't based so much on the game anymore, it's based on different pictures of the castle, a bit of the game and a lot of my fantasy.

More pictures after moderation: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=379097

Edited April 18, 2009 by Matn

[Sandy]

Ooh, lovely! Great to see you're still on this, Matn!

You wanted some constructive evaluation, so here I go: There's nothing wrong with the shape of the buildings themselves, but they could use some more ornamentation or variation in surface and color, in my opinion. You could add a few light grey bricks or dark tan tiles among all that tan. Or maybe use some different techniques with the bricks with technic holes on them or something like that. More details, in general, if you get my drift.

As far as the rocks go, I know BURPs and LURPs are frowned upon in some people's minds, but I wouldn't hold it against you if you used them. Just using those large slopes isn't very realistic or "rock like" to me, there should be more rough edges and bumps. Also, feel free to add more vegetation.

I'm also not that fond of the water, not because it's transparent, but because there's so many seams in it because of the small bricks used. It almost looks more like a patterned floor than water. But hey, points for thinking outside the box! I don't even have transparent blue bricks, so I wouldn't have thought of that!

Despite these points, I do love your MOC, and hope to see your project continue. I can't wait to see the courtyard once the gallery is published!

[Matn]

Thanks for your comment, Sandy! I appreciate it that you took your time to think about which things that can be improved.

About the buildings: I will surely add details like special hinge parts in tan, to add up the amount of details. I will use that on the building of the Great Hall. But I didn't feel like add them here, I did in the first place, but I didn't want to make something really big with lots of details out of the boathouse, because if so, I should dubble that up with the Great Hall and everything would become too big. About the dark tan tiles, I have considered that, but the Bricklink stores in which I ordered the parts didn't have those, and I didn't want to give up more money for something I wasn't sure I was going to like. But maybe I'll try it in the next part of my LEGO Hogwarts.

I was going to use BURPs for rocks. I ordered those slopes to use as roofs, but when I thought of it and tried it out, it was going to become too big with those sloped roofs. So I had to think of something else the use them, because, well, I had ordered them. And then I used them as rocks, because I don't own that much BURPs. When I did a bit of the rocks with the slopes, I immediatly liked the style of it. So, it was a case of trying to use those slopes and I really like the style it gives. Yes, it isn't realistic, but... I like it. I will try to think of something to make it more bumpy and rock alike. More vegetation will be add, but most of my greenery went into my Adventurers display.

You're right about the water, it does look like a patterned floor. A few years ago, far before Bricklink and Eurobricks, I got my hands a bag of those. And I dug them up for this project. It fits really well with the theme, I think. If I would have used normal blue; blergh. Normal blue doesn't look magical at all, but it's almost like this transparant dark blue gives a darker and mysterious feeling to it. Oh, and I wasn't the first to use this "technique", castlestrike666 from BeLUG uses the same water and I actually saw it from him. It fits so well, I think.

I'm glad you like it!

The courtyard isn't that impressive, it's only a half one. But a few months from here I hope to have the second part ready, and then there will be a whole courtyard, with hopefully a little fountain in the middle of it, and of course more greenery.

[JimBee]

Wow, nice. I love the rock face and the hallway. The only thing I would perhaps add is some tiling to the boathouse roof, to smooth it out.

I'm looking forward to more.

[Matn]

Thanks for the reply.

(

I have continued my project, I wanted it to be ready for this weekend (BeLUG event), but it just didn't work out. I haven't got enough parts, although I have made a couple of Bricklink orders... Well, on the bright side: the Hogwarts project isn't standing still.

(If you have a Flickr account, )please add your notes if you see something to be improved.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30479264@N06/3548438351/

[gusmoore17]

Keep on working!!

These first stages of your work look really awesome, I can't wait for you to complete it!

Hoping on seeing some HP and DH sets out!!

[Sandy]

Wow, you're serious about making it a realistic scale! I don't think that's a very affordable idea, though... Maybe you should down-scale the whole castle a bit? Keep it big enough for minifigs to fit comfortably, but you don't have to make such wide spaces. Just a friendly advice to keep you healthy and fed.

As for this new addition, it's very nice to see that you've still followed the model of the Hogwarts in the HP-videogame. however, I think you're missing the antechamber between the courtyard and the Great Hall. It's the room with the housepoint chalices and the entrance to the moving staircase from the movies.

So yeah, with a little less ambition to get everything in realistic scale, you should be able to finish this project in our lifetime. Not that I want to mock you, but remember you're just one person, and in nearly a year you've only finished about one percent of the whole castle.

Good luck with the project, anyway!

[Matn]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I perfectly know what you mean, Sandy. And I'm aware of the rather big scale. It was even much bigger when I started this project, the boathouse was almost three times as big as the current boathouse! I will try to make the great hall a little bit compacter, without the interior. It has an interior now because I will show this model on the BeLUG event this weekend, and because it's not finished I thought of adding an interior to make it a little bit more interesting. However, having an interior is extremely cool.

I am thinking of adding the house points in the Great Hall itself, to make it not too big. I will probably add them on the left and right side of the entrance (just in front of the corresponding tables of the four houses), hopefully in time for the weekend. I'm thinking of a good way to make them. Probably very simple, without round edges. The stairs, you say? Well, I don't want to be thát realistic, let's say that the stairs will be placed in the tower that will come next to the Great Hall?

Don't think this creation will be massively huge. One percent, you say? Wow. No, really, that would be ridiculous. It will be a very simplified Hogwarts, but still very recognasible, I hope. For instance, I think I am going to have to leave the greenhouse out (which is also massive, as big as these two parts I already have built...) It will be big, I'm thinking of 12 48x48 plates, which is enourmous for me and my budget, but I would be very happy if I reach the half of it. And if I should be really honest, I somewhat want (a tiny part of me wants) it big because I want to show what I am capable of. But I do think I will make it a little bit smaller in the very near future.

I don't try the follow the ingame Hogwarts, that's to big for me. I try to combine it with my own fantasy and thoughts, ... and budget! There is a reason why I haven't bought LEGO myself for a few months already. It's really hard not to buy those new fantastic sets, and instead put a part of my "LEGO-money" in my "Hogwarts-saving pot". And as always said, this is a long term project, so it will take me a couple of years to finish. I hope.

Thanks for taking your time to write a comment, you've been helpfull (like with the suggestion of adding more greenery and details ).

[Tom Bricks]

Wow I recognize all the places you have built from the movies and books. Keep up the good work and stick to it, I'm sure it will be great when it's finished.

[Sandy]

One percent, you say? Wow. No, really, that would be ridiculous.

I was basing that number to my assumption that you're going to include interiors to every room, and follow the game's Hogwarts, like you said in the past.

But you still have just the boathouse, one courtyard and a partial wall to the Great Hall, so I say that's pretty close to one percent of these:

Hogwarts #1

Hogwarts #2

Hogwarts #3

[JimBee]

Bah! Don't listen to Sandy! While I agree that it would be expensive to buy all of the pieces you need and it might take a while to get far with this, I think that you are very capable. If you put lots of dedication into this, I'm sure you will have made made a very impressive Hogwarts.

Keep it up.

[Matn]

Thanks JimButcher!

I was basing that number to my assumption that you're going to include interiors to every room, and follow the game's Hogwarts, like you said in the past.

But you still have just the boathouse, one courtyard and a partial wall to the Great Hall, so I say that's pretty close to one percent of these:

Hogwarts #1

Hogwarts #2

Hogwarts #3

Yes, but I still don't know if I will add interior the the whole castle. Maybe, when I'm done, like that's far away , I will look it over and add interior to some recognisable places. The game is also to utopic for me. But for now, I will let the interior out, except for this one weekend. And as said, if I think clear, this can't be a one on one copy of Hogwarts as shown in the books, games and movies. There are just too many buildings and courtyards for my budget, and whoever knows what will happen with this when I lose interest in LEGO or Harry Potter...

[Matn]

(Hogsmeade has been in my mind for a couple of days now. It would become too big if add this part, but a small forest including a little village would make it so much more interesting and wicked. :D / Not sure if I will ever get to the right part (where the bridges are). But I will be very happy if I even could finish the left side of the castle....

This is a map of my LEGO Hogwarts project. A "what if"-map.* So, this isn't really in scale, of course! Or is it? It's an [overdone map]. ...Everything will be a little bit smaller, including the Great Hall. Eventually everything will be cramped together. And could someone tell me which towers are which? My only guess is that the biggest one is the North Tower.

Oh, the circles are the towers. Ideas, suggestions? Please don't hesitate to comment! ;D

*What if I could get all the money and pieces needed, what if will get the support I need, what if I won't get lazy half way, what if I don't buy any of the awesome LEGO 2009 sets ... You now the deal.

Again, it's really, really overdone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30479264@N06/3597925701/

[Davey]

Looks pretty sweet so far! I recognize many of the places you have modeled from the game. Hogwarts is an ambitious undertaking seeing as it is such a large and detailed structure. I like the idea of building it to suit how YOU imagine Hogwarts. Harry Potter is all about getting lost in the fantasy world of magic and, in that realm, imagination is your best weapon. I really like what you are doing here and please keep posting. Don't get discouraged or bored...you are really doing something cool that will take some dedication. The results will be worth it though.

If you are interested, you can check out my wife's Harry Potter related projects...

Here

Here

Here

...And Here

...And Here

Again...keep up the great work. Long live imagination!!!

-Dave

ToT-LUG

p.s. We're debuting a new HP layout at Brickworld 2009 in two weeks. Watch for pictures!

Edited June 5, 2009 by Dave_ToT-LUG

[Matn]

Thanks for the encouragement! Your wife's Hogwarts is really awesome! It's very recognasible, the lake is also nice with the giant squid in it. The Hogwarts' Express is also very well made. And that Burrow is nice, actually, I am going to make one this weekend if I'll get it ready. I didn't knew there was someone else making a cool LEGO Hogwarts display; thanks for the links and information. I'm looking forward to pictures of the new one.

EDIT: I've made a second version which looks a lot better, I think. Suggestions? Ideas?

Edited June 6, 2009 by Matn

[Davey]

Thanks for the encouragement! Your wife's Hogwarts is really awesome! It's very recognasible, the lake is also nice with the giant squid in it. The Hogwarts' Express is also very well made. And that Burrow is nice, actually, I am going to make one this weekend if I'll get it ready. I didn't knew there was someone else making a cool LEGO Hogwarts display; thanks for the links and information. I'm looking forward to pictures of the new one.

I tell her to stop by here and say hi. I'm sure she'd love to talk HP with you on here.

EDIT: I've made a second version which looks a lot better, I think. Suggestions? Ideas?

I really like this new version! Are you planning to use land contouring to contour the base of the castle into the landscape? In other words make it look like it is on a rock integral to the hillside? I think Stacy is planning to do something like that after Brickworld. As always...a work in progress.

-Dave

[Mr Spielbrick]

Ooh, very interesting project! Looks like you're already on the right path with the actual build. And the map seems pretty accurate if I had to guess. Have you seen JK Rowling's own map? I believe they briefly show it in an extra feature on the Prisoner of Azkaban dvd.

[Eskallon]

Nice work you are very talented. I like the scale although it would be too big for me and the map is good. I think you need to think about any under bits like the chamber of secrets and others though. Anyway lovely so far.

[Tom Bricks]

I like the second version of the map better but I thought that Hagrid's hut was supposed to be near the quiddich pich.

[Matn]

Hogwarts' Entrance (WIP); based on these great boars: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=51688

It's a shame LEGO doesn't make bigger fences, these don't look that good. But it works.

Vacation has started, so I should make a lot of progress the next couple of months. But no. I've ran out of pieces for this project, and money for it. I've tried building other LEGO Harry Potter buildings, but it doesn't work out that good. So, let's hope I get my hands on new pieces for this project very soon.

[Luke McAwesome]

Looking good, Matn!

Best wishes for the completion of this project very soon!

[phillip10]

coool so far

[Reaper052]

This makes me wish I had the parts to build my own lego hogwarts, but that may never happen. It also makes me wish the new movie would hurry up and be released!