If you’ve ever looked up brick mosaics online, you’ve probably come across two types of results: official LEGO Art sets and custom brick art kits from brands like MrBricky. They look similar at first glance. Both use small, colourful bricks. Both result in a mosaic you can hang on your wall. But they are quite different products, built around different ideas.
This article breaks down exactly what sets them apart, so you can decide which one suits you best.
What is LEGO Art?
LEGO Art is an official product line by the LEGO Group, launched in 2020. These are premium sets designed for adults, built around iconic images such as pop culture portraits, Marvel characters, and famous paintings. You buy a fixed set in a box, follow the instructions, and end up with a specific finished mosaic.
The sets are well-made, carry the LEGO brand, and come in collector-friendly packaging. They are aimed at fans who want a recognisable subject on their wall, presented in the LEGO aesthetic.
The main limitation is choice. You can only build what LEGO has already designed. There is no option to upload your own photo, choose your own subject, or personalise the result in any meaningful way.
What is brick art from MrBricky?
MrBricky offers brick mosaic kits that work on a different principle: you decide what gets built.
You can upload any photo you want, such as a portrait, a pet, a couple, or a favourite moment, and our tool converts it into a buildable brick layout. You choose the size, preview the result, and receive a complete kit with all the bricks you need, along with step-by-step building instructions.
We also sell a range of ready-made designs, from classic art and album covers to game characters and pop icons. So if you already know what you want, you can order that directly.
The bricks we use are LEGO-compatible. Same size, same quality, same satisfying click. The difference is that you are not limited to what is in the LEGO catalogue.
The key differences at a glance
1. Personalisation
This is the biggest difference. LEGO Art offers a fixed selection of subjects. If your favourite artist, person, or image is not in their range, you simply cannot make it.
With MrBricky, you can build a mosaic of literally anyone or anything. A portrait of your partner, your dog, your grandmother, your favourite album cover from an artist LEGO has never heard of. There are no limits on what you can upload.
2. Price
LEGO Art sets are premium products. Most sets are priced between €50 and €300, depending on size and complexity.
MrBricky kits start at a more accessible price point, and because the bricks are LEGO-compatible without carrying the LEGO brand premium, you get the same build quality for less. The price depends on the size you choose, not on which subject you pick.
3. The building experience
Both products offer the same hands-on experience: placing bricks one by one, watching a mosaic take shape. The rhythm is the same, and so is the satisfying feeling when the image becomes recognisable.
Where they differ is in the meaning of the result. When you build a LEGO Art set, you recreate something that already exists. When you build a MrBricky kit from your own photo, you are creating something that has never existed in brick form before. That adds a different kind of satisfaction to the process.
4. As a gift
LEGO Art sets can make a good gift, but only if the recipient happens to love the specific subject LEGO offers. It is still a generic product, just with a higher price tag and a famous logo.
A custom brick mosaic from MrBricky is a personal gift by definition. You choose the image, you choose what gets built, and the person receiving it knows that. That difference is immediately obvious when they open the box.
5. Compatibility
Because MrBricky bricks are LEGO-compatible, they work just like the real thing. Same dimensions, same interlocking system, same feel in your hands. If you already own LEGO baseplates or have leftover bricks from other sets, they are fully interchangeable.
Which one is right for you?
If you want to build a specific, iconic image from the LEGO catalogue and the brand name matters to you, LEGO Art is a solid choice. The sets are well designed and work exactly as promised.
If you want to build something personal, a portrait, a memory, a custom design, or anything that LEGO does not offer, then a MrBricky kit gives you more freedom at a better price, with the same quality bricks.
Start your own brick mosaic
Ready to turn your photo into a brick mosaic? Design yours here and see what it looks like before you order.
Or browse our ready-made designs if you already know what you are looking for.