Why are concrete 'Lego figures' appearing around Aberdeen?

People have been spotting Lego-inspired figures hidden at some of the Aberdeen’s most popular sites.

The tiny additions have been created by local artist, The Sketchy Maker, who made 15 specially designed figures and hid them across the granite city.

Some of the figures include nods to key parts of life in the city such as an oil company worker and a surfer, as well as a spaceman which can be found somewhere near Aberdeen’s science centre.

The project also includes figures of a train driver, a doctor, a wizard, and a pilot.

Lego-inspired concrete figures pop up across Aberdeen. Supplied

The Sketchy Maker was initially inspired by a Reddit post which saw similar Lego-inspired figures placed across Deventer in the Netherlands.

The Aberdeen local took to B&Q to get cement mix and sand, and armed with a mould from Amazon he was able to start work on his latest project.

After initial designs the artist decided to see if he could make the figures look more like mini Lego figures.

“This involved making a 3D model on my computer, 3D printing it and then making a mould out of silicon. With the mould made I could then cast it in concrete.

“I was pretty happy with the result and then the realization hit me that I could make a load of different figures. My favourite figure is the classic spaceman so that’s the one I made first,” The Sketchy Maker told STV News.

The Spaceman was the first Lego-inspired figure The Sketchy Maker made for the project. Supplied

The response to the project has been “overwhelmingly positive” the artist said, adding that he never knows whether or not the public will like his project before

The Sketchy Maker gets his name from the fact that he doesn’t consider himself an artist, nor does he consider his projects perfect.

“I’m just somebody who likes to make things and often it’s more fun to share what I have made rather than just keep it to myself.

“I have been building stuff for myself since I can remember but have been sharing my projects in public and online for off and on for 3 years.

The Sketchy Maker has hidden 15 special designed figures some of which relate to key parts of life in Aberdeen. Supplied

“This was the first time I have built silicon moulds and I have barely worked with concrete before. It means my projects are far from perfect, they are all a bit sketchy.

“I don’t know how well the Lego men will hold up, the head of the shell one has already come off, but if I waited until my projects were perfect I would never get anything finished.

“It’s something I’m trying to embrace this year, putting out stuff I’m not 100% happy with. I’m just learning as I go along,” he said.

Unfortunately, some of the figures have been stolen or damage – sadly the case for the oil worker who had their head blown off.

The artist said the figures being stolen is a “shame” but knows when he puts a project out it’s only a matter of time.

“I know quite a few families were planning to go and find them and now don’t have that chance which I find a shame. I might be able to glue them better next time but I think whatever I do they will go at some point.

“I do wonder if I should keep their locations completely secret next time, it would make it harder for someone to go and get them all.”