Dovahkiin-in-training

It's family time, Nord style. Is there any better way to bond than teaching your little girl how to cleave a man in half? I think not.

Anyway, I have really really wanted to paint something more about my Skyrim character, Skaila, and especially something about her life before the events of the game. So here is my little Dovahkiin, about 7 years old, practicing some axe swinging basics with her father, Roril. Every dragonslayer must start somewhere, right?
I also just realized that I haven't shared much info about Skaila's background either so here are some facts. She's originally from Winterhold, not from the College itself, but from the town right next to it. Her family has been living there for generations, though many family members were lost during the Great Collapse when most of the city fell into the Sea of Ghosts. Skaila's family is a small one, her being an only child. Her father is a warrior specialized in using two-handed battle axe (which Winterhold fighters seem to favor traditionally), and he joined Stormcloaks almost instantly when the order was founded. Skaila's mother, Isrid (who didn't fit into this image, unfortunately), is a herbalist originally from Dawnstar.
That said, I think this is big enough info dump for one image. I really hope I'll have time to paint some other images about Skaila and her story soon, but my studies and numerous other drawing ideas are always the issue. Maybe one day I'll actually manage to finish all the stuff in my sketchbooks... Meanwhile, I really hope you like this painting!

As a little bonus for those of you who take interest in such things, I documented few stages I went through while making this painting. You can find the result here


Just for comparison, here is my girl more grown-up. Seems that she has kept daddy's lessons in mind:


^{Skaila and Roril Skaran © me
My characters from the game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim}

For more fan art inspired by The Elder Scrolls take a look at here!