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Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:15 pm
by Tyrone_Shoelace
Hi all,

I am brand new to the forums, but I have been lurking around Classic-Castle for a good while. I had a (possibly controversial) question about starting my brick collection. I have a fairly large collection of old grey and brown bricks, but I want to add to ose now that I have some more money. My personal grey age happened to start when TLG switched to that light bluish grey color. I really only bought Star Wars sets during that time, which I didn't want to break down into spare bricks. Do you guys think I should cut my losses and switch to the bluish greys and reddish browns, since they're making more elements for the new colors, or should I buy older and slightly more expensive pieces? I don't really have a personal preference for either color scheme; this is more of a financial thing. Sorry if there is already a thread or something on this, but I couldn't find anything. Thanks.

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:27 pm
by AK_Brickster
Depending on how big your collection is right now, I'd suggest switching to new gray ("bley"). The parts are cheaper, more readily available, come in more shapes/sizes, and won't fade as easily).

You can also mix in your old gray with new gray to get a mottled look. For example, here is a WIP picture of a large display I made for BrickCon last year using both old and new gray (if you look closely, you can see a slight color variation between the light gray and light bley):

Image

Similar points apply to brown vs reddish brown.

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:39 pm
by Tyrone_Shoelace
Thanks, I'll look into the mottled look. I was initially wary about it, since I haven't seen large amounts of that combination. But your mottled looks good, especially to get rid of the giant grey wall syndrome.

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:44 pm
by Lil_Curt
Personaly im mixing my colection. I have the old light gray, but not alot, i am getting a case of 1x3 an 1 x 4 light bley to castle build. I like the mottled look, its more realsric to me anyway.

Curt

P.s. if you dont want to mix i will happily take your old bricks :D

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:51 pm
by Tyrone_Shoelace
Nah, I think I'll keep them in case I start rebuilding sets from my childhood. Do you guys get your pieces from Bricklink/have suggested stores?

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:20 am
by Lil_Curt
My wife an I use bricklink, as well as the lego store. I am getting my bulk brick through the Pab at the store. As far as stores on b-link no favs as of yet. Everyone we have purchased from has been good.

Curt

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:28 am
by AK_Brickster
Just look for the seller who has what you want, then check their feedback. Most sellers are pretty good, so I do t have any "go-to" stores, really.

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:00 am
by PsychoPixie
I think the mottled grey look on a large moc would add a sense of realism to it. Stone would weather differently based on how the water trickles, if there is a window nearby that may have produced ash from a torch, that sort of thing. Your wall looks fine, especially with the different texture/types of bricks as well as the slight color variance.

Re: Starting MOC's: Brick Color?

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:09 pm
by peggyjdb
Personally I have all/both (i.e. old and new greys and brown and reddish brown). I don't plan to build in these colours for future builds, but they do add to a build with the different tones.

In my current build (Tigelfah Castle) I have used the light grey on the keep and chapel to represent different periods of construction in the castle. The brown is also nice for different shades in landscaping.

With regards to building up your collection it depends on your situation. If you want more for your money then the new colours tend to be cheaper. But then if you want to add variety had have that money mix it up. I go with both options, depends what I'm doing!