If the recently released LEGO® Art set based on Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse is a little out of your price range, then the latest additions to the LEGO Brick Sketches range could be a right up your street. Brick Sketches were introduced last year and are based on an original idea from AFOL turned LEGO Designer, Chris McVeigh. They are textured 2D images which can be displayed like a picture. After featuring characters from both Star Wars and DC Comic, the upcoming new sets add Mickey & Friends to the mix. So here’s a closer at the new LEGO Brick Sketches Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse sets.
Product Details
- Set Name: Mickey Mouse/Minnie Mouse
- Set Number: 40456/40467
- Pieces: 118/140
- RRP: £14.99/$16.99/€16.99
- Measurements: over 5 in. (13 cm) high, 3 in. (9 cm) wide and 1 in. (3 cm) deep
- Availability: LEGO.com & LEGO Stores
The Set
Both Brick Sketches follow the same basic design with a base canvas created by a layer of four 12×4 white plates, which create a 12×16 surface area. Although mainly created from white elements, much of it gets covered with a bright background and the image of the either Mickey or Minnie. On the rear of the set is a border of 1×10 and 1×16 bricks plus a layer of plates and connection points. These give you various display options, so they can be hung thanks to a couple of plate elements. They can be placed on a flat surface via four 2×2 Round Slide shoe elements. But for many, the kickstand is the most useful display option. This is created by a couple of Technic rods connections and is connected by a couple of 1×3 hinge stub plate elements. It can be angled at various levels, to allow the Brick Sketch to sit at different angles.
The images are created largely by various plate elements. These are layered to help to give the image a textured surface. As you can see they almost have a 3D look when viewed side-on. They offer a profile view of both Mickey and Minnie, both characters have appeared in various animations styles over their long history, but it’s a little tricky to place which era their Brick Sketches styles are based on. I’d probably say they based on earlier styles has the eyes are solid, which is a key trait of both characters earlier designs. Their outfits are a little easier to place and are similar to those the Mickey and Minnie Minifigures wear in the Disney Castle set.
Overall
Disney has a massive fan base, which expands far beyond the realms of LEGO sets. So it’s no surprise the characters of Mickey and Minnie Mouse feature so heavily across various LEGO themes. But I have to say the characters iconic look is a perfect fit for Brick Sketches style. They are a unique build experience and make an equally unique display piece. They may not have the grandeur of much larger LEGO Art sets, but they are still great little sets to brighten up a desk or shelf.
40456: Mickey Mouse: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
40457: Minnie Mouse: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
