From animals and waves to splashes and wakes, learn how to build and populate a LEGO City harbour scene using elements available through Pick a Brick.
Official LEGO models don't always include the most involved techniques and level of detail and you might wish to expand on the official offerings for a more realistic and display-worthy scene. We've done exactly that with last year's
Following our initial overview of the entire build, we're now digging into the pieces and techniques used to bring this diorama to life, and how they can be used across other water-based builds you might be working on. There are even a few parts that you wouldn't necessarily expect to be featured in an aquatic model, so keep an eye out for those...
Waves
There are many ways to depict LEGO waves, including the simple and effective slope and wedge elements that usually line LEGO roofs. Using them in transparent colours as waves is a tried and tested approach, but it's not exactly an innovation that's going to – excuse the pun – make waves.
Instead, look to the more unusual elements to determine how else you can successfully create natural but unique waves in your LEGO water. One example is using the Fresnel lens piece from 21335 Motorised Lighthouse, thanks to its rounded shape and ripple effect in the centre.
In tandem, both techniques can display different wave formations, showcasing the random yet harmonic nature of water. Consider upgrading simple sloped waves with wall panels and tooth elements for an increased level of detail in a small space.
Key parts
| Image | Element name | Element number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | DESIGN ELEMENT 2X4X2, NO. 1 | 6512327 | Add to cart |
 | ROOF TILE 2X2/45° | 6244885 | Add to cart |
 | WALL ELEMENT 1X2X1 | 6246888 | Add to cart |
Splashes
On paper, waves and splashes might seem similar, but when it comes to a LEGO model, they're not much alike. While waves are smooth and rounded, splashes are comparatively jagged and wild, and the pieces you use to represent them should reflect this.
DREAMZzz and NINJAGO's range of transparent weapon pieces are particularly useful for LEGO splashes thanks to their chaotic nature, with Zane's vehicles being a great source of such elements. Otherwise, look towards tooth pieces and curved tiles to transition between smooth water and jagged splashes seamlessly.
The curved tiles can also help add nature to your model, such as a dolphin leaping out of the water in front of a wave, displacing the water and making a huge splash. It can do this by creating a perfect space to hold the dolphin's tail in place without exposing the foundations. While water can be smooth and serene, it can also be wild and random and reflecting this is easier than expected with the right parts.
Key parts
| Image | Element name | Element number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | WEAPON, W/ CROSS AXLE, NO. 6 | 6427391 | Add to cart |
 | 1/4 CIRCLE TILE 1X1 | 6514467 | Add to cart |
 | BRICK 1X6, W/ BOW | 6240378 | Add to cart |
 | PLATE 1X1, W/ TOOTH | 6292200 | Add to cart |
Ship wakes and water effects
For aquatic builds, you might be hoping to have ships, jet skis and other vehicles sailing through the water. While you're free to simply place them on a flat LEGO water surface, they won't look all that natural. Consider shaping the model around them to create a space that makes sense for your display.
In
Pick a Brick has many such parts suitable for this, including transparent Architecture roof tiles, opalescent gems and pyramid pieces to simulate displaced water in a more subtle way than huge splashes. The Architecture plates are also particularly good at fitting perfectly beneath inverted slopes at whatever angle is required.
Key parts
| Image | Element name | Element number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | PLATE W. BOW 1X2X2/3 | 6508249 | Add to cart |
 | DESIGN PLATE, 1X1X2/3, NO.3 | 6287309 | Add to cart |
 | PLATE 2X2X2/3, BOW, INVERTED BOW | 6508337 | Add to cart |
Creatures of air, land and sea
To easily add some life to any model, consider placing some LEGO creatures around the environment. Even in a water-based build, there's no need to be limited to the sea and incorporating some of these animals can lead to some interesting additional techniques.
Placing fish into a flat ocean model is entirely possible and to great effect using printed tiles. On Pick a Brick, there are a pair of tiles depicting Koi fish that work well for this task, and you can hide the fact that they're freshwater fish by placing a section of tiles above to blur them accordingly, tricking the eye from a distance. Otherwise, they add plenty of life to a water-based build, even when in shallow rock pools.
The aforementioned dolphin water splash feature will, of course, need a dolphin to accompany it. While the exact piece used in our harbour build is no longer available on Pick a Brick, a LEGO Friends version is available as a satisfactory replacement. Pair these creatures with a crab, seagull, otter and more to effectively and easily add some colour, variety and organic life to your custom creations.
Key parts
| Image | Element name | Element number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | DOLPHIN, NO. 5 | 6476634 | Add to cart |
 | SEAGULL NO. 2 | 6208794 | Add to cart |
 | CRAB | 6253362 | Add to cart |
 | FLAT TILE 1X2, NO. 386 | 6523625 | Add to cart |
 | FLAT TILE 1X2, NO. 393 | 6523610 | Add to cart |
Using these techniques and any similar to them, you can liven up even the simplest models, naturally incorporating official builds, simulating water with unique elements and adding life to a brick-built scene. Pick a Brick has many such parts useful for these efforts, and at the time of designing, almost every piece used in this guide was available on Pick a Brick. Thanks to the LEGO Group for supplying the parts and the LEGO City set used in our example model.
Head here for a closer look at the finished model and how it expands organically on
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links.
Comments
Be the first to comment!