Who is 'Markal'?
Markal is Mark Edwards who lives in Mississippi – originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. I retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2003 after 23 years and decided to stay here in the warm gulf coast south along with my wife, two daughters and three grandchildren.
How long have you been rendering/doing computer graphics?
My last five years in the Air Force I designed and developed computer-based training. We used PhotoShop, Flash and even wrote code in HTML, so I guess I started in the late 90’s. My terragen work began in 2003.
Do you have traditional art experience?
No real art experience just the standard art classes in high school and college.
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What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a collaboration with a Bryce artist…he is making a ship for one of my space landscape images. Learning Terragen 2 and possibly Vue may be in the works soon.
What software/equipment do you use and why?
Software used is Terragen .9.43, PaintShopPro 7 and LunarCell. I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP. I was going to upgrade but, this very large screen HDTV deal fell into my lap so I had to upgrade my other love…. watching Blue-Ray movies…first. Hopefully I’ll upgrade to a quad 4 before the end of the year.
What do you think your best piece of work is and why?
One of my latest favorites is Rigel III. The foreground is a stone BMP overlay I applied in Terragen…. the shading and shadows were in-line with the sun angle and it worked very well. The only post work was the LunarCell moons and I think they also add a realistic touch. It still amazes me how computer graphics can make an imaginary place look so real and believable.
Why do you like to work with 3D software?
It’s a fun hobby for me and when I focus on the work it carries me away from the hustle and worries of this world.ÂÂ
Who/what inspires you?
All the wonderful artists here at ReRo are great inspirations. National Geographic Magazine, NASA and all the space missions has also influenced and inspired me. Of course our creator….Almighty God….the greatest artist of all.
How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning?
Not only comments but also other artists sharing their files have helped me grow artistically by leaps and bounds.
Parting Comments / Advice to other Artists?
I try to focus on what I love. I have a passion for Space Art so 99% of my work is Space art. Some may think I need to branch out and explore other areas but I say branch out to what….something I don’t love? Go with what you love and your rewards will be many.
Comments (37)
athesdan
MARVELOUS !!!!!! very good "science fiction" scene
Thelby
Excellent rendition of what an alien landscape may look like, even though it's down to Earth! You surfaced this expertly and all the additions make this one of the best 'Out of this World' renders I have seen!!!
Darthmagus
Wonderful! Excellent textures and combination!
Ionel
Excellent!!! Are there any McDonalds over there? :)
Kosmicman
Great work, i like that you have the Astronaut in your Work.
crypticghost
AARRRRRRRRRR!!! sooo cool, wish i thought of this first. Love it. V
ppetersen
Outstanding Mark, you've created the feel of a new planet, unexplored territory and a magnificent place to settle... Superb surfacing, wonderful POV and a magnificent sky... the addition of the explorer is perfection!!!!!
corleonis
Very cool!! Surfacing on the terrain is just awesome! Love the astronaut, gives a good scale to it...and you probably realized this right after posting (i always do) but the big planet isn't facing the sun ;) Aside from that little nitpick, i think it's one of your best!
wholehog
Wow! Great job on this one. The PW creates the alien environment perfectly. Very nice work!
Tiwiwine
Watch the step ! ;o) Superb work on this sci-fi view.
DigiArts
Killer POV! Excellent terrain and surface, superb lighting and low mist, and the clear planet plus sky is awesome. Very cool and excellent piece of work!
shantay
Fantastic but credible image. Like the light and dark shadows, canyons and postwork. Another awesome sci-fi!
Fidelity2
Excellent sense of scale. Voted.
Maori
This kind of work has always fascinated me, awesome composition, and reflects your unlimited talent. Superbly done!! V
Tootsie
Very nice work.
blacq_nyght_vampyre
WOW! So gorgeous.
choronr
A fantastic piece of TG and post work. You are a master of this Space Art Mark!
Fahrenheit451
Masterpiece!
Simpleworks
Fantastic SiFi render.
stbc
Great feel to this one. I like the lighting and pw. Low haze adds to the mystery. Superbe work.
lior
Awesome scienc fiction renderV
Martchi
Excellent Sci-fi scene,Bravo!
phasic
Wow ... Stunning artwork!
Saurav
Great textures.
joshus_hund
Hah! Very cool SF image. This little man makes the scene so alive!
Morgana61
Scena spaziale splendida. Excellent image!
NIGHTSKYDF
Masterfully done. breathtaking!
Dotthy
fantastic scifi work, excellent in all details!!!!!!!!!!!
niko_1985
Is sohw cool!!! Nice work
emailandthings
Good integration. The astronaut sure blends nicely and as much as I hate "Lunarcell moons", these ones fit just fine.. Pretty cool