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Hey all,
I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
Fortress.
It is a small Crusader fortress located in the Judean Wilderness (Ein Gedi
to be specific). About a days journey by foot from the Holy City of
Jerusalem, Ein Gedi has a natural spring which flows to the Great Salt(Dead)Sea.
In typical Crusader fashion, a Holy Place has been captured, and a Fortress
has been built around it. The outer stone walls are surrounding a small
keep, above the keep is the small chapel. The chapel commemorates the
miraculous "Multiplication of the Tan Bricks" which occurred during the
fortress' construction (Tan bricks are hard to find everywhere I guess).
It's not large, most crusader fortresses weren't, but I've tried to put
several detail features in that would make it appear to have been
constructed during the time period. I put archers windows in the walls
(narrow in the front, wide in the rear)and tried to give a sculpted feel to
the chapel by using tan 1x1 cylinders (the only plentiful tan brick. The
Keep is sparsely furnished with beds and a table and dresser.
For the Troops garrisoned at the fortress, I updated the classic Crusader
figs with Sir Richard's leather leg armor, and used only flared helmets. The
Kettle helms would have been nice, but I'm not sure they were in use yet.
They would have been shady in all that sun though!
I've never seen a castle made with tan bricks (on Lugnet), so this may be a
first. Since there are very few specialised tan pieces (arches, slopes,
walls)this was very rudimentary building. It was like a refresher course in
castle 101. I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
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In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all,
> I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
> news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
> Fortress.
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Well it's not the Wild West - but is it pretty darn awesome, Jon. Some of
the details I particularly like are:
- Having the sacrament laid out on the altar (and the way the light shines
through the stained glass window)
- The look of the 1x1 rounds alternating with the 2x2 rounds in the columns
- The picture with the palm trees in the forefront - speaking of your trees
- I noticed that you had used some of the clip on leaves on at least one.
Pretty cool use of those pieces - I hadn't see that before
- The birds roosting on the walls (buzzards perhaps?)
And of course the overall use of tan elements which definitely gives it that
"fortress in the desert" look.
Great Job and as always - Thanks for sharing your pictures with us (very
inspirational).
G.
P.S. Oh yeah - aren't folks over that July Surprise nuttiness by now?
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> Well it's not the Wild West - but is it pretty darn awesome
I'm having trouble coming up with ww ideas right now, i figured I should
start building and see what comes
> - Having the sacrament laid out on the altar (and the way the light shines
> through the stained glass window) • That scala bread really comes in handy!
> - The picture with the palm trees in the forefront - speaking of your trees
> - I noticed that you had used some of the clip on leaves on at least one.
> Pretty cool use of those pieces - I hadn't see that before
I was hoping to get a Date palm tree look, not a Coconut palm. building
like this You can also adjust the angle of the branches and have them hang
down as well
> - The birds roosting on the walls (buzzards perhaps?) • Yeah, I gotta get more brown ones, but Leo's castle isn't worth retail to me.
> And of course the overall use of tan elements which definitely gives it that
> "fortress in the desert" look. • Thanks, I appreciate it.
> P.S. Oh yeah - aren't folks over that July Surprise nuttiness by now?
I'm still trying to contain my excitement.
Jon
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Jon Furman wrote:
> I've never seen a castle made with tan bricks (on Lugnet), so this may be a
> first. Since there are very few specialised tan pieces (arches, slopes,
> walls)this was very rudimentary building. It was like a refresher course in
> castle 101. I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Very nice. Spartan, but quite effective. Bravo!
Frank
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Why in the world would you refer to me as a god when you are so darn good at
this stuff, I'll never know. Anyway, a sandstone castle was a worthy
project, and you did a great job with it. I'd probably turn the
tower/chapel around so that the stained glass faced the courtyard (less of a
defensive liablity) and I'd also crenalate the tower. The columns with
Lionheads capitals are great, though again, I don't think a medieval castle
designer would create blind spots in the defense like that. The gate looks
like it could use some towers flanking it.
But these are minor picks, the kind of thing you can go back and futz with
if you have the bricks to spare. I really like the castle overall. Great
job. The stream with palm trees elequently places the castle in the
middle-east. And I especially love the shot with the slanting light in
the chapel.
Bruce
In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all,
> I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
> news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
> Fortress.
> It is a small Crusader fortress located in the Judean Wilderness (Ein Gedi
> to be specific). About a days journey by foot from the Holy City of
> Jerusalem, Ein Gedi has a natural spring which flows to the Great Salt(Dead)Sea.
> In typical Crusader fashion, a Holy Place has been captured, and a Fortress
> has been built around it. The outer stone walls are surrounding a small
> keep, above the keep is the small chapel. The chapel commemorates the
> miraculous "Multiplication of the Tan Bricks" which occurred during the
> fortress' construction (Tan bricks are hard to find everywhere I guess).
> It's not large, most crusader fortresses weren't, but I've tried to put
> several detail features in that would make it appear to have been
> constructed during the time period. I put archers windows in the walls
> (narrow in the front, wide in the rear)and tried to give a sculpted feel to
> the chapel by using tan 1x1 cylinders (the only plentiful tan brick. The
> Keep is sparsely furnished with beds and a table and dresser.
> For the Troops garrisoned at the fortress, I updated the classic Crusader
> figs with Sir Richard's leather leg armor, and used only flared helmets. The
> Kettle helms would have been nice, but I'm not sure they were in use yet.
> They would have been shady in all that sun though!
> I've never seen a castle made with tan bricks (on Lugnet), so this may be a
> first. Since there are very few specialised tan pieces (arches, slopes,
> walls)this was very rudimentary building. It was like a refresher course in
> castle 101. I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
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In lugnet.castle, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
> Why in the world would you refer to me as a god when you are so darn good at
> this stuff, I'll never know.
You, Frank, Shiri, Pawel, and some others have quietly been "tutoring" me
with your creations and ideas for about a year and a half. I've built lego
all my life, but until I found lugnet, I built all the same stuff over and
over. When Making Braveheart, Mel Gibson said that he never went to film
school, but as he got roles in films he just listened when Peter Weir and
the other directors talked.
I feel that The most creative people are the ones who hide their inluences
best, and I've really tried to synthesize what i've learned. I really have
enjoyed the creative push I've recieved as part of this community. I signed
up for a membership about a week ago and I'm still waiting for my page to go
up, but I finally felt like I had something to contribute, so I started
posting MOC's
> I'd probably turn the
> tower/chapel around so that the stained glass faced the courtyard (less of a
> defensive liablity) and I'd also crenalate the tower. The columns with
> Lionheads capitals are great, though again, I don't think a medieval castle
> designer would create blind spots in the defense like that. The gate looks
> like it could use some towers flanking it.
These are good Ideas. I've got some more bulk tan bricks on the way. The
Chapel sits on the wooden support beams, so It cn be flipped easily.
Jon
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In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all,
> I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
> news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
> Fortress.
> [...]
> I've tried to put several detail features in that would
> make it appear to have been constructed during the time period.
> [...]
> I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
:-) Great pictures! it all looks so "real." This landscape is super. Crusaders'
colors are quite a contrast to their surroundings! I love the trees.
Detailing on this whole face is really nice-
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48243
I like this 'double flag' trick.
what type of pole is that? is it two light saber rods?
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48239
Second type of Lion Head columns, these with texture. also, flames of
varying heights-
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48244
I think we've been caught peeking! (?)
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48251
> I've never seen a castle made with tan bricks (on Lugnet),
First one I've seen, but I'm no expert. Sure looks different! The few gray
bricks mixed in add to the look of realism. The whole structure looks so heavy
and solid. I'd like to see more of this stuff.
Wish I had some helpful criticisms.. oh well.
-Suz
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> :-) Great pictures! it all looks so "real." This landscape is super. Crusaders'
> colors are quite a contrast to their surroundings! I love the trees.
> I like this 'double flag' trick.
> what type of pole is that? is it two light saber rods?
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48239
This is the black pole piece that comes as part of the little guys noose in
the research glider. in white, It is also the cavalry flag pole in the WW sets
> I think we've been caught peeking! (?)
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48251
That pic was shot on a whim, the last pic, it's one of my fave's!
> Wish I had some helpful criticisms.. oh well.
>
> -Suz
Thanks Suz, considering the source, This type of compliment is especially
gratifying. I love your Rhine Barge, and a long time ago, I "borrowed" your
women of the wild west. My post to Bruce addresses my admiration for all
the Lugnet community, but if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, My
wild west page has your Saloon Bar "Boot Rail" to thank for it's charm! Jon
www.stickybrix.50megs.com
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In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all, • <snip>
> I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Wow! you've really acheived some nice effects here. It looks very
authentic, to my eyes, and the lack of variety in the parts gives it a very
spartan, holy-place-in-the-desert feel to it.
But what really blew me away was this picture:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48250
Beautiful scene. I've got new wallpaper, now.
Thanks,
James
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Very nice, Jon. You have done a fine job of capturing that desert oasis
feel. Your pictures seem sunny and warm. I really like the opening shot
through the palm trees. Nice work. This is tempting me to try some
Egyptian ruins style building.
Ashley Glennon
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In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all,
> I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
> news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
> Fortress.
> It is a small Crusader fortress located in the Judean Wilderness (Ein Gedi
> to be specific). About a days journey by foot from the Holy City of
> Jerusalem, Ein Gedi has a natural spring which flows to the Great Salt(Dead)Sea.
> In typical Crusader fashion, a Holy Place has been captured, and a Fortress
> has been built around it. The outer stone walls are surrounding a small
> keep, above the keep is the small chapel. The chapel commemorates the
> miraculous "Multiplication of the Tan Bricks" which occurred during the
> fortress' construction (Tan bricks are hard to find everywhere I guess).
> It's not large, most crusader fortresses weren't, but I've tried to put
> several detail features in that would make it appear to have been
> constructed during the time period. I put archers windows in the walls
> (narrow in the front, wide in the rear)and tried to give a sculpted feel to
> the chapel by using tan 1x1 cylinders (the only plentiful tan brick. The
> Keep is sparsely furnished with beds and a table and dresser.
> For the Troops garrisoned at the fortress, I updated the classic Crusader
> figs with Sir Richard's leather leg armor, and used only flared helmets. The
> Kettle helms would have been nice, but I'm not sure they were in use yet.
> They would have been shady in all that sun though!
> I've never seen a castle made with tan bricks (on Lugnet), so this may be a
> first. Since there are very few specialised tan pieces (arches, slopes,
> walls)this was very rudimentary building. It was like a refresher course in
> castle 101. I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Jon, that's fabulous! It's great to see someone else taking advantage of
the new tan bricks to model Crusader castles. I have a partially completed
6080/375 type castle sitting in a corner. I'm hoping for more bulk tan
bricks (and hopefully tan castle walls!) so I can get it finished. You did
a great job with all the details, excellent columns (I'm using the Lion head
in the same way!), and a very tranquil chapel. I can just picture the
knights praying there before riding into battle!
I always assumed that yellow bricks were used in 375 to represent the
sandstone color of the holy land crusader castles, and I'm still hoping that
TLC may someday release something similar using tan bricks (and tan castle
walls!)
Kevin
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Great job, Jon! I love all the pictures, but the first one especially
really sets the mood for the whole gallery. I like some of the details
you've included, such as the grey bricks mixed in, the wood-style bricks
(what are they called?), and the varied use of columns.
--
Eric DeGiuli
http://members.home.net/edegiuli/
remove DIESPAM to reply
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Hi Jon!
Grrr, I knew it... you're becoming one of my favorite builders. Ugh :-)
OK, more specific comments. First off, you caught my eye by locating a
creation in Israel (if ancient-day .il... still ;-). While I haven't been to
Ein Gedi (boo), I've been to Yam Ha-Melakh (the Salt Sea indeed! That's what
we call it). The crusader forts around Israel are quite awesome, I hope to
revisit them when I get back and take some detailed pics for y'all. They
really rock (pun very much intended ;-).
Now, about your model. I love those palm-ish trees. They are *so*
realistic! Hey, if you wanna get a more Israeli-authentic look, add some
brown 1x1 plates for dates on the bottom of the green leaves; Israeli palms
don't carry coconuts.
Is that a modified axe there? First pic? Nice double stuff there. I like the
use of spears with flags... If I'm not mistaken, you also shaved the curls
off Prince Franz's face? Nice job, very smooth...
I definitely like the tan effect in the middle of the desert. Works out
perfectly, and you made great use of the resources available (rounded-off
1x2 bricks from Adventurers - sweet. I love those pieces). Great small
details like the 1x1 dots for the torch flame instead of a cone. Plus the
picture James mentioned - awesome lighting right there, and in general your
pictures are wonderfully sharp and clear. What cam do you use? Manual focus?
Plus I like the fact that you built up some of the surroundings (granted,
there's not much to build, but what's there is nice. :-). And, Belville
pieces all the way! <grin>
To conclude, you made me start a whole folder of favorite LEGO creations
links. <shaking head> Now I have to hunt up Heather Patey's page, Suz's,
Leah's, Craig's, to add to your brickshelf page... dang you. :-)
-Shiri
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In lugnet.castle, Shiri Dori writes:
> Hi Jon!
>
> Grrr, I knew it... you're becoming one of my favorite builders. Ugh :-) • Thanks!
> OK, more specific comments. First off, you caught my eye by locating a
> creation in Israel (if ancient-day .il... still ;-). While I haven't been to
> Ein Gedi (boo), I've been to Yam Ha-Melakh (the Salt Sea indeed! That's what
> we call it).
I have to confess that I haven't been to Ein Gedi either (the site was
"unavailable" during my visit). I love the historical significance of the
site though, and when I thought of where in Judea to set the scene, it was
either there or Jericho. I toyed with using green baseplates and putting it
in Galilee (Tiberias or Decapolis), but I figured I'd be fighting too many
stereotypes to make it realistic.
> The crusader forts around Israel are quite awesome, I hope to
> revisit them when I get back and take some detailed pics for y'all. They
> really rock (pun very much intended ;-).
As my bulk orders arrive I'll be able to build bigger stuff, so those pics
would be really helpful. Most of the sites I went to were mostly Abrahamic,
or Davidic Era, so I didn't get to see much crusader work. (I did fashion
the archers windows after the ones in Jerusalem's Turkish walls).
> Now, about your model. I love those palm-ish trees. They are *so*
> realistic! Hey, if you wanna get a more Israeli-authentic look, add some
> brown 1x1 plates for dates on the bottom of the green leaves; Israeli palms
> don't carry coconuts.
I'll have to add it! maybe the cook could be collecting them! What is the
use in having date palms if you don't eat the dates!
> Is that a modified axe there? First pic? Nice double stuff there.
Yes, I had a broken one, so I just glued the blade onto another. There is a
better pic of it in the shot that peeks through the open gates. It wasn't
supposed to be in the opening shot, I just forgpt to clean up the scene, and
didn't see it till after!
> What cam do you use? Manual focus?
> Plus I like the fact that you built up some of the surroundings (granted,
> there's not much to build, but what's there is nice. :-). And, Belville
> pieces all the way! <grin>
I used a Nikon CoolPix, and I focused manually. It's a bear to work with,
but I seem to finally be getting the hang of it! If I could only get my
hands on some more Belville Bread loaves, I'd have quite the feast! Until
then, I'll have to use tan 1x1's for pita's.
See ya Jon
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In lugnet.castle, Shiri Dori writes:
> Hi Jon!
>
> Grrr, I knew it... you're becoming one of my favorite builders. Ugh :-) • Thanks!
> OK, more specific comments. First off, you caught my eye by locating a
> creation in Israel (if ancient-day .il... still ;-). While I haven't been to
> Ein Gedi (boo), I've been to Yam Ha-Melakh (the Salt Sea indeed! That's what
> we call it).
I have to confess that I haven't been to Ein Gedi either (the site was
"unavailable" during my visit). I love the historical significance of the
site though, and when I thought of where in Judea to set the scene, it was
either there or Jericho. I toyed with using green baseplates and putting it
in Galilee (Tiberias or Decapolis), but I figured I'd be fighting too many
stereotypes to make it realistic.
> The crusader forts around Israel are quite awesome, I hope to
> revisit them when I get back and take some detailed pics for y'all. They
> really rock (pun very much intended ;-).
As my bulk orders arrive I'll be able to build bigger stuff, so those pics
would be really helpful. Most of the sites I went to were mostly Abrahamic,
or Davidic Era, so I didn't get to see much crusader work. (I did fashion
the archers windows after the ones in Jerusalem's Turkish walls).
> Now, about your model. I love those palm-ish trees. They are *so*
> realistic! Hey, if you wanna get a more Israeli-authentic look, add some
> brown 1x1 plates for dates on the bottom of the green leaves; Israeli palms
> don't carry coconuts.
I'll have to add it! maybe the cook could be collecting them! What is the
use in having date palms if you don't eat the dates!
> Is that a modified axe there? First pic? Nice double stuff there.
Yes, I had a broken one, so I just glued the blade onto another. There is a
better pic of it in the shot that peeks through the open gates.
It wasn't supposed to be in the opening shot, I just forgpt to clean up the
scene, and didn't see it till after!
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=48245
> What cam do you use? Manual focus?
> Plus I like the fact that you built up some of the surroundings (granted,
> there's not much to build, but what's there is nice. :-). And, Belville
> pieces all the way! <grin>
I used a Nikon CoolPix, and I focused manually. It's a bear to work with,
but I seem to finally be getting the hang of it! If I could only get my
hands on some more Belville Bread loaves, I'd have quite the feast! Until
then, I'll have to use tan 1x1's for pita's.
See ya Jon
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Shiri Dori wrote:
> To conclude, you made me start a whole folder of favorite LEGO creations
> links. <shaking head> Now I have to hunt up Heather Patey's page, Suz's,
> Leah's, Craig's, to add to your brickshelf page... dang you. :-)
The problems of lkeeping favorites organized was what led to my links
pages. Hopefully I will get a chance Monday to add Jon's Fortress to my
links.
Frank
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In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all,
> I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
> news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
> Fortress.
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Wow, what can I say that hasn't been said before, this is great.
Forward the pics to TLC, maybe they'll release more tan bricks, maybe
they'll be moved to offer Mid Eastern castles.
George
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(canceled)
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<SNIP>
> castle 101. I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Jon!
What a GREAT fortress. Nice ornamentation and GREAT attention to detail.
I put together a tan structure a few weeks ago and was hard pressed
getting it to look just right myself. I like how you incorporated the
wide variety of tan pieces (whatever happened to the Basic Brick?) to
put it all together. I also like the scene out front with the river and
trees, and the BURP background. Great work!
--
Matt Brooks
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It was like a refresher course in
> castle 101. I'd appreciate your feedback, so LMKWYT! Jon
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Great MOC! I think your pictures were well done too. You caught some great
lighting in a couple of those pics! I just wish I had as much tan brick as
you do ;-) You have to love those new colors. We'll be seeing lots more of
cool new MOC's in these new colors.
BK>
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In lugnet.castle, Jon Furman writes:
> Hey all,
> I know that this is not going to compare in any way with the "July Surprise"
> news, but in it's honor, I'd like to announce the completion of my Crusader
> Fortress.
> It is a small Crusader fortress located in the Judean Wilderness (Ein Gedi
> to be specific). About a days journey by foot from the Holy City of
> Jerusalem, Ein Gedi has a natural spring which flows to the Great Salt(Dead)Sea.
<snipped>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=4854
Jon,
I've been gone dealing with reality for the last 5 days and I come back to
what looks like a holy war... oi.
And yet I find that, in the midst of the strife, there's another refreshing
creation from you!
That is just too cool. I really like it. The scene from outside is really
great with the palm trees and the shots from inside the chapel are probably
the favorites. There isn't much I can say that hasn't been said by the
others while I've been gone.
I'll be looking at your pics closely for ideas and inspiration.
Thanks for sharing!
Joel J
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