From the Artist
An original oil painting, the Clockwork Dragon was painted at the height of the Steampunk craze in the 2000’s. I took heavy inspiration from the Gnome Clockwork creatures from Everquest.
More About The Art
Steampunk clockwork dragons are a fusion of fantasy and Victorian-era industrial aesthetics, blending mythical creatures with steam-powered machinery and intricate clockwork mechanisms. These dragons are typically imagined with brass, copper, and iron exteriors, gears and cogs visible through ornate, metallic scales. Their bodies often incorporate riveted plates, mechanical wings, and smokestacks, billowing puffs of steam as they move or breathe fire. Each clockwork dragon is a marvel of retro-futuristic engineering, embodying the steampunk fascination with anachronistic technology.
In steampunk narratives, clockwork dragons might be crafted by eccentric inventors or engineers using a mix of alchemy and mechanical expertise. Unlike living dragons, these creations are often powered by a heart of gears or a steam-powered engine, giving them life through mechanics rather than biology. Some versions are enchanted, blending magic and machinery to enhance their power, while others are purely mechanical, programmed with advanced (yet analog) precision to mimic dragon behavior.
These dragons can vary greatly in size and purpose. Smaller clockwork dragons might serve as guardians, perched atop a grand inventor’s lair or protecting a vault, with agility and sharp mechanical senses. Larger models could be war machines, their metal frames impervious to conventional weapons, with fire breath fueled by pressurized gas canisters and wings that operate like clockwork helicopters. In battles, they evoke a sense of both awe and dread as they combine the mysticism of dragons with the cold, methodical movements of machinery.
As a symbol, the steampunk clockwork dragon represents humanity’s attempt to recreate life through engineering, blending the organic with the mechanical to create creatures that are both beautiful and formidable. They highlight the wonders and dangers of unchecked technological ambition, making them a staple of steampunk literature, art, and tabletop roleplaying games alike.
In EverQuest, the gnomes of Ak’Anon are renowned for their inventive clockwork creatures. These mechanical beings range from helpful automatons to powerful, dangerous constructs, all crafted with intricate gears, springs, and enchanted metals. Gnomes use their mechanical expertise and a touch of magic to animate these creatures, which often serve as guards, companions, or laborers. Some clockwork creatures are designed for battle, armed with whirring saws or steam-powered cannons, while others perform simpler tasks like scouting or carrying messages. Despite their often endearing clunkiness, these creations reflect the gnomes’ resourcefulness and their delight in the mysteries of tinkering and alchemy.
About Michael Bielaczyc
Michael Bielaczyc has been working professionally in the art field since 2001 when he founded Aradani Studios with his brother Paul. Together they have exhibited across America selling both their artwork and costuming. He works in many mediums from oil paint to latex prosthetics, video to graphite.
In 2012, Michael started Lone Wanderer Entertainment with his long time friend Dane Clark Collins to publish books based in their dark fantasy world – Atheles. Since then he has authored 4 books and created the SagaBorn RPG system.
