Mixing colors?

[CVfan13]

Hi everyone!

I am beginning to work on what will be my first MOC in about... 4-5 years. Back then, I was younger and I didn't really care what colors went where, as long as they were gray, black or tan. Now, I'm much more picky about it and I'm trying to mainly use only light blay pieces for the walls of my castle, aside from specific details, of course. However, I've been looking around at a lot of other great creations and I've noticed that a lot of people randomly mix old gray and blay, as well as having sections of darker colors. Despite the mix, I think these castles look awesome, but I'm just not sure the technique is right for me. It certainly would save me money on parts.

So I'm asking, how many of you mix your colors like this (new and old) in your MOCs, and should I try it? I'll post WIP pics soon.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help with my predicament.

[Bluesecrets]

I think most people are mixing them to create a more realistic castle look, but not everyone. When I build in grey, which is not often, it depends on what I'm building. If its a building and I have enough old grey, then I only use it. But if I'm building rocks or cliffs, because I need the cheese wedge piece.

[BiggerJim]

I use both unless it ends up looking funny that way. It has to pass the eyeball test. But its a matter of supply as well.

[CVfan13]

See, the thing I'm building is actually a Royal Palace, well within the castle walls of a large city (for now I'm just doing the palace, lol) so I figured it should look more perfect and less rough and composed of miscellaneous rock, like a real fortress or castle. But the thing is, I've just built a basic foundation for most of it and I'm already worried about running short on bricks. I do have time to save up and buy smaller lots of bricks on Bricklink, but I'm not sure if I should try mixing to conserve bricks.

[Velliscig]

I would say it is best to mix varying grays in your walls; at least with the lighter grays, use both the light gray and bluish gray, because not all stone (even from the same quarry) is going to look exactly the same!

[Ashkestral]

First I need to admit that I don't like the two colors mixed together. However, I do think it can work but it has to be handled carefully. I think it looks best when the castle has one of the tones as the "overall" color, and then the contrasting color comes across as texture, especially in a large section of wall or rock. On the more detailed parts where there is already something to draw your eye in, I think it looks best if these colors are kept a consistent color, because they are already adding interest and texture, and the color differences can take away from the design elements. Of course, I think people can pull off just about anything if they have the eye for it.

What I think needs to be avoided is having different sections of the castle different colors, like one tower in old gray and one tower new gray. The difference will really stand out and not add any textural interest because it's all in one section or block together.

[CVfan13]

Here are some pics of what I've done so far:
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317068849
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317068947
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317068958

These are very basic beginnings, basically just the foundation of the central area with a courtyard. It's going to be a somewhat modular building, with a dining hall and kitchen to the left (referring to the first picture), a library to right and a dance hall in the back. Staircases to the second floor are in the back of the dance hall and the main entrance. Second floor will have a throne room and some bedrooms, upper floors will be more private quarters, etc.

My concern in the already present blandness that can be seen in the third picture. This is the front of the building and will continue for another floor. Any recommendations?

[AK_Brickster]

My concern in the already present blandness that can be seen in the third picture. This is the front of the building and will continue for another floor. Any recommendations?

I know just what you mean. I have to constantly police myself to make sure that I don't have big blank walls like that.
Here is a solution that I commonly use to avoid BGWS (Big Gray Wall Syndrome):



You can see in the picture that adding some columns really helps to break up the monotony of a big wall. Add some vines to really spruce it up.

I also mix new and old gray (I know a lot of people don't like that, but hey, it's my castle, right? ) to get a little variety since stone isn't all the same color. I also use parts w/ texture like the "log" and "grill" pieces that you can see in the above pic, and mix in some dark gray as well intermittently.
I know it's not everyone's style, but do what you think looks best.

Hope that helped, and keep up the good work!

[CVfan13]

Thanks a lot for your help! That wall looks Pretty good!

Is this better?

[AK_Brickster]

Thanks a lot for your help! That wall looks Pretty good!

Is this better?

Wow MUCH better! Glad the tips helped. I'm still learning a lot everyday too. There is so much to learn after being away from building for the last 10 years!

[CVfan13]

Thanks so much for your help! I'm a little worried I made it too rough for a royal place though... I still like it. Should I try to make bot sides symmetrical?

[AK_Brickster]

Thanks so much for your help! I'm a little worried I made it too rough for a royal place though... I still like it. Should I try to make bot sides symmetrical?

It's totally up to you. Because you made this side somewhat complicated (ie, not just a couple of simple columns), I think that making the other side match isn't really necessary. I actually like the more "organic" look that you've done as opposed to a regimented, orderly build. It feels more like a royal palace and less like a harsh military fortress.

Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more pics soon

[CVfan13]

Some updates:
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317332143
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317332133
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317332110
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317332108
http://emob291.photobucket.com/albums/l ... 1317332069

I mixed in some patches of dark blay and I like how it turned out! Also, sorry for the crummy pictures. My computer is being fixed, so all I have is my phone.

[soccerkid6]

Looks good! I like how it turned out. You can definitely see the improvement.

Keep on building

[CVfan13]

Thanks so much!! Thanks for all the positive encouragement, everyone! I can't wait till I can show you a finished product.