Dread:
The answer is a bit complicated, so please bear with my explanation since I'm unsure of how much you know or don't know. (Just trying to help..
First, when you use the shift key at either a chest or lock a panel window comes up that should say "Pick Lock."
The first line in the window under the title should say "Trap then Locked" What this line tells you is whether or not the lock is trapped and what spell it is trapped with. An example would be "Fan of Death" or some such.
The second line in the window will tell you the Level of the Lock and what the odds are for you currently being able to pick the lock based on your Disarm Traps, Inspect and Pick Locks skills. If the lock is trapped, then the Disarm Trap skill is used. Inspect is always used to determine the icons needed to pick the lock. The Pick Lock skill is used if the chest or lock is NOT trapped or when you use lockpicks. This skill also makes your lockpicks more effective should you use them. Good so far? ok. (Caveat: I've noticed that very few locks in the game are untrapped, which means that the picklock skill isn't used as much as the inspect or disarm traps skill. **Doesn't make sense, I know, so go figure** Some will suggest that you don't need a high skill number in picklock as a result. True. My only comment about that is that this skill does effect your ability to use lockpicks, so keep that in mind. Most everyone will tell you that the highest level chest in the game is level 9, so having level 9 in disarm trap and inspect is more than sufficient. You can go lower if you are using lockpicks as a standard practice. I've found that leaving picklock at 2 or 3 in this case maximizes the benefits, so there have it. Experiment and do what you think is best skillwise)
The third line indicates a visual pattern made up of several different images. This is what the manual calls the "Progress Bar." A red line moves across this bar over time at different speeds based on a combination of factors: the level of the chest/lock, your skill in Inspect, Disarm Traps and Pick Locks and any boni from heraldy, etc.
The fourth line varies, but will contain single block images. The manual calls this area the Lockpick icons. There can be anywhere for 1 to 4+ icons displayed here and this varies according to the same conditions listed above. If you look at the Progress Bar you should be able to match these icons. What you do is as the red line moves left to right over the icons on the progress bar, you click the matching lockpick icon as the red bar reaches it and it turns a gold color. Rinse and repeat until all the lockpick icons have been clicked. The chest/lock should open if you timed it correctly or zap you if you didn't.
On the right side of the window, there are four buttons stacked on top of each other as follows: picklock/disarm, bash, inventory and leave. The picklock/disarm button starts the red bar advancing on the progress bar. The bash button allows you to smash the chest if your strength is high enough, the inventory button allows you to click on lockpicks that are in your inventory. When you select a lockpick, you will notice that the odds on the Pick Lock panel window will increase, improving your chances. What this does is slow the red bar down, etc. There are regular lock picks and master lockpicks. Master Lockpicks have an even greater effect on your odds. 99% is the highest odds rating I've seen. After you click inventory and select the type of lockpick to use, you then click picklock/disarm. The leave button allows you to leave the pick lock panel without attempting to do anything. Some locks will jam if you fail to pick them correctly the first time.
Another note: lockpicks are consumable so if you use them you will notice they will disappear from your inventory or reduce the number in your inventory if you had more than one of the same type. This happens whether or not you are successful in your attempt. So if you kill an enemy that drops lockpicks, always pick them up. I often carry over 200 over them in inventory. There are a lot of chests in the game.
That's how you use lockpicks.
Hope this helps!
James.
Lock Picks ? 
How do I work with lock picks ? tryed few ways and never in the game I saw instructions for it... help please 
Gg 
I would've like to have seen real lock picking too, but that's just one of a long list of things, like skills that really work, etc. The game clearly needed a little more time in the microwave.....ya know? Its a shame because its a great game. I love the character skills creation and combat parts.
Linear Mode
