My first MOC... well sort of (small update on page 3)

solus6942 · Post by **solus6942** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:45 am

Finally after lurking around here for more than 2 years I've decided to officially post my first worthy MOC. First I'd like to say that a lot of builders on here have provided me with a multitude of ideas, styles, and awesome MOCS to look at as inspiration. Also, Just wanted to say Hello...

On to the MOC...

There is no real story behind it... its just a large fortress. I imagine that its on the edge of a forest (in a large clearing) that is inhabited by Forestmen. I guess this could be the first fortress where the "Crownies" have a established a foothold within some magnificent kindom of some other older Lego Castle faction (Maybe Falcons, Royal Knights, or Crusaders) since "Crownies" are new and been in just about every MOC I've seen.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/cowan ... mg0171.jpg

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/cowan ... mg0149.jpg

[img]http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/cowan ... mg0150.jpg[/url]

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/cowan ... mg0151.jpg

Gallery when public...
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=319800

While this isn't my first MOC it is the one I feel is "finished" atleast to the point worth being shown. You can see older partial MOCs and some complete MOCs on my Brickshelf page.

thanks

castlebuilder100 · Post by **castlebuilder100** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:53 am

Umm those aren't deeplinks so I can't view anything. You need to click on the picture until you can't click anymore then copy the url.

solus6942 · Post by **solus6942** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:57 am

oops... i fixed them

Sir Dano · Post by **Sir Dano** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:13 am

Welcome to C-C! You'll probably get some people complaining about "Big Gray Wall Syndrome", but I like it. You have some very nice landscaping along the river, the guy chasing the chickens is a nice comedic touch, the use of zwords above the draw bridge looks good, and I believe this is the first time I've seen Crownies fighting Forestmen. Overall, this is a very nice first MOC.

castlebuilder100 · Post by **castlebuilder100** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:14 am

Overall very good job

. I really like the round tower and the road. Also, the landscaping is pretty good. Although this is not critical it would look better if all of the other colored bricks at the bottom were not exposed.

Heir of Black Falcon · Wed May 21, 2008 5:56 am

I like it as well. I will have to get a better look when I get back as I am traveling today and just realized I have to go.

Nice though. Like the slight mottled look on the round tower.

R

Lewa Rocks · Post by **Lewa Rocks** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:35 am

sir dano wrote:Welcome to C-C! You'll probably get some people complaining about "Big Gray Wall Syndrome", but I like it. You have some very nice landscaping along the river, the guy chasing the chickens is a nice comedic touch, the use of zwords above the draw bridge looks good, and I believe this is the first time I've seen Crownies fighting Forestmen. Overall, this is a very nice first MOC.

Wow! I love it! No I don't think there is "Big gray wall syndrome" here because he added arches (which look awesome!) and some variation in color. Overall the MOC is great!

bikicsmilan · Post by **bikicsmilan** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:14 am

A really good start! Very nice. Make it bigger some time, when the Crown faction consolidate their rule in the forest

Danielas · Post by **Danielas** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:58 am

Not bad, but not great, in fact its just ok...What are you saying Danielas? thats the work of a pro!(in training

)

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:17 am

Anyone who knows what the big gray walls syndrome is will know that this fellow has countered it with a nice, large, detailed, wall. Overall, awesome castle. I love it!

Your landscaping could use a little work, but the castle at this point it more important. Nice job!

P.I

wobnam · Post by **wobnam** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:28 am

Welcome to CC, solus6942!

For a first MOC this is really good. However, here are my (hopefully) constructive two cents:

- Big gray wall syndrome. I know, whine, but it's there, in those areas inside the arches on the big square towers. If this was a space MOC, ten people would have started screaming "put greebles there now dude" a long time ago. Castle and space doesn't always follow the same rules, but those areas look empty. Windows would be a good way to break them up, as would arrow slits.

- Maybe look into making round roofs for your round towers? It can be difficult, but they do look a lot better than square ones. You know what I mean.

Those are my two biggest advice (at least from the deeplinks. More pictures of the inside/back in the gallery?). Hope they make sense. If you're like me, everything you build give you ideas about what do to (differently) next time.

Lord Felix · Post by **Lord Felix** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:04 pm

I don't know why everyone else is saying "ok," or "big gray wall syndrome." Castle's didn't have windows until the second or third floor because of the risk of soldiers climbing through them into the castle. Second off, if we were to be historically accurate, castles were never gray or mottled; they were whitewashed. So if we were all to be historically accurate, castles would be white.

However, because we see the ruins that are gray we assume that the original castles were gray as well; we can keep them that way. I think that this is a fine castle. Personally I don't like that technique for round towers because to me it sticks out way to much compared to other techniques, but here it looks fine. I do agree windows are needed, but not too low; maybe 5 or 9 studs below the battlements.

SNOT water is not my thing (nor is extreme tile-ing, but that's another thing), but it looks fine. maybe a few trans clear 1x1 plates thrown in for ripples.

For the landscape, I think the shape is excellent. Perhaps adding in some browns or grasses to make it a little more exciting would be good. I always find it good to add some gray (like wall colored gray) bits on the ground, like stones. This not only makes the ground more realistic, but draws color from the castle into the ground, and visa versa, making the switch (looking from one to the next) a little less... jagged?

Overall good job. I personally am horrible at exterior decorating for castles, and you've done a nice job here.

bikicsmilan · Post by **bikicsmilan** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:57 pm

Castles were not necessarily whitewashed, only if they were built of crushed stones or bricks. Even then, the broad stone cornerstones were left unpainted. If the castle was built entirely of ashlars, they didn't paint it. Psychological warfare: small stones must remain hidden while gigantic carved stones must be exposed for the enemy to see that they can't possibly destroy the castle!

RebelRock · Post by **RebelRock** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:41 pm

I think this is a pretty dang cool castle. You managed to fit in lot of elements that make it more than just a big square on a baseplate. If you don't mind a couple suggestions, I think you could use some windows and/or arrow slits on the walls. Also, to my eye, if you just throw in a dark gray 1x2 or 1x1 plate or brick every so often instead of 1x4 or 1x6, it tends to look a little "better" to me.

Good job and keep it up!

highlandcattle · Post by **highlandcattle** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:46 pm

But everybody knows that behind the white paint were small stones

BTW Nice MOC

Classic-Castle.com

My first MOC... well sort of (small update on page 3)

My first MOC... well sort of (small update on page 3)

sorry