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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (21)
Wilby
Although barren of flora,..this is stunningly sculpted. The textures are very realistic, yet the color choices lighting and nearby planet achieves a surrealism that I love This goes into my Inspiration folder
BLUESTONE
I like the level break in the terrain; that and the green gas layer next to the dark sky---I could see a Ray Bradbury character staring at it in a museum, saying, "This one...this one really gets me!"
PeepingTom
wow, impressive
artgum
Absolutely fantastic- the terrain and surfaces are awesome, and the green mist on the horizon is a fabulous touch!
Zazie
Tolles Terrain und surface. Auch die Atmo, mit dem tkisfarbene Horizont ist sehr sch. Klasse Render !
athesdan
superb surfaces and terrain
RubyDancingmoon
Fantastic image! Love that POV, such depth to the picture. The sky colors work wonderful with this one. And those surface layers are fantastic! I have to ask, where do you find the overlays for those surfaces or do you create them yourself? Great image!
superza
love that planet in bg! exc alien colour and srf too!
doneydonydone
amazing world! - lovin the look of the moon in the distance! - your overlays always look great and the atmos is stunning! teamwork soon buddy!
Morgana61
Bello il Settembre del tuo spazio....wonderful work!
kanzler
Wow!Love everything in your new space artwork!
Foxfire66
I just can't get over the Texturing of this terrain. MOST magnificant!
MagikUnicorn
STUNNING TERRAGEN ARTWORK MY COMPLIMENTS ! (FAV) ;-)
ppetersen
An amazing one Mark. The foreground overlays are perfection, giving the impression of dried river beds. Beautiful sky, and superb Terrain.
shantay
Amazing overlays and planet, excellent light as always!
TallPockets
SO good!!
emailandthings
This is an amazing rating. Your renders already look awesome , so there is no tip I can really give you :) Perhaps we should do a collab one day :)
Flyboy91
I like this one two
sudafed
wow ! very nice work
A3DLover
Cool scene!
stardiver
Truly amazing. I can't stop staring at it.