So I can't get the idea out of my head that I really want to try making new creatures. I'm a pretty big fan of lore, so they'd likely be those from past elder scrolls games or those that are mentioned in literature within the game. My dilemma is that I've only done texture work. There are quite a few resources available for creatures that I could potentially use as a base, but nothing is perfect. I'll provide an example, and maybe the community can help me brainstorm.

I'd like to begin by recreating the bonewalker from Morrowind. Here's a picture, if you're not familiar: http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/pc/elder3/themes/mw_bonewalker1024.jpg
He seems easy enough to make using a zombie or something similar as a base. However, what really makes the bonewalker a bonewalker are the multiple bones that stick out all over his body. If I don't include that, he's just another zombie. Could I somehow add these using NifSkope? Should I just request a modeller to attach them for me? Let me know what you're thoughts are. As soon as I get a nudge in the right direction, though, I'll start working on the texture.

Of course, I'll be adding more creatures as I go, but for now I think it would be best to look at them one at a time. Thanks for your thoughts.

In the picture you linked, the bonewalker seems more similar in form to the Shivering Isles Scalon than the Oblivion Zombie.

That's concept art. In-game they looked more like zombies on steroids.

There were two different creatures, Bonewalkers and Greater Bonewalkers. The greater ones were much more muscular. I suppose it would make more sense to implement the Greater variety into Oblivion, though, sense Zombies are pretty on-par with the original Bonewalkers. Here's a picture of what they look like: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/Arakhor/Arakhor%20in%20Vvardenfell/111ImprovedGreaterBonewalker.jpg
Much less boney than the lesser form, which takes away from their originality. I'll probably aim for something in between.

You make a good point about Scalons, AngryYoungDunmerSyndrome. At least in terms of their skeleton and animations. The body would have to reworked to get rid of their fins and head, though. I wonder what a zombie would look like if I tried to apply the Scalon skeleton to it... Even then, I would need to add bones to it.

Call me crazy, but I understood from dialogue in game that bonewalker = zombie, only zombie is 'western' name while in Morrowind they call them bonewalkers?

I don't recall ever reading that, but I still think Morrowind's bonewalker concept was a lot more interesting than the generic zombies in Oblivion. I like having the zombies, but occasionally running into a bonewalker or having a necromancer summon one would be a lot fun as well.