[Hidden Artworks] “Mechanical Horse of Blacksmith Dwarves”: An Artistic Tribute to Skyrim's Dwarven Technology

Ah, such fond memories, playing this game over 10 years ago, and many times to this day, with its many updates, special editions, and mods. Inspired by the aesthetics and narrative of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, this creation seeks to capture the magical and mechanical essence of the game's dwarven cultures, transporting the viewer to the depths of the mountains, where legendary dwarven blacksmiths brought a technological marvel to life. In the game, this technology was lost in dungeons that could often become quite complicated, filled with traps and powerful metallic creatures. In this case, this harmless knight is the polar opposite: a creation not meant for war.

This work is not open for sale to the general public, but if you are interested, you can contact me privately.

Skyrim's Dwarven Legacy: A Technical and Narrative Overview

Released in 2011 by Bethesda Game Studios, Skyrim is an open-world role-playing video game that has become a cultural icon. One of the game's most fascinating features is its rich mythology and the detailed design of its races and technologies. Dwarven technology (or Dwemer, as they are known in the game's universe) stands out for its combination of steampunk aesthetics and arcane magic. Their automatons, such as centurions and mechanical spiders, are masterful examples of the union of advanced engineering and magical power. As I said, these are very dangerous creatures, and when they come together in the middle of a typically long dungeon, they test your endurance and your entire arsenal of weapons.

My mechanical horse features one of the most characteristic elements of dwarven technology in Skyrim, the Dwemer Core. This idea of magical crystals as a power source seemed perfect to me, bringing my mechanical horse to life and not just a forgotten Dwemer artifact.

What Makes Dwarven Technology So Special

What draws me most to Dwemer technology is its attention to detail. Each machine seems carved with intricate runes, its internal mechanisms seem alive, and its functionality reflects a balance between utility and artistry. In-game, exploring dwarven ruins is an immersive experience: the golden and green lights, the aged metal, and the echo of moving gears create a unique atmosphere full of mystery. As I mentioned, everything is full of traps, secrets, and treasure, and the dungeons, being so long, are quite challenging. They also tend to have many entrances and exits, secret chambers, and chests. When you enter one, you know you can spend hours, and you proceed slowly and carefully.

Furthermore, the narrative background of the Dwemer, with their sudden disappearance and their legacy left behind in the form of machines and structures, adds a layer of emotional depth. This was a great inspiration for creating a story for my painting, imagining this mechanical horse not just as a machine, but as a faithful companion with a spark of life of its own.

My Artistic Approach: From Pixels to Canvas

In “Mechanical Horse of Blacksmith Dwarves,” I wanted to reinterpret this blend of Dwemer technology and magic in an abstract, contemporary format. I used geometric shapes to evoke the horse's robustness and mechanical precision, while flashes of vibrant colors, such as yellows and oranges, symbolize the glowing runes and the energy of the Heart of Aether. The dark background of the painting suggests the somber and mysterious atmosphere of the dwarven ruins, allowing the main elements to stand out.

The process was almost like “forging” the painting rather than simply creating it. Each brushstroke was conceived as if carving metal, with luminous details adding a sense of movement and vitality, reflecting the horse's tireless nature.