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.
ÂÂ
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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
phasic
Magnificent view Markal! Very nice colors and a splendid sky!
GrassHopper1
Outstanding work
jtag
Fantastic POV and colors! I like light also!
jrsaldana
excellent pov and testure work
artgum
Brilliant colors and beautiful scene!
fractalinda
Awesome atmosphere, POV and terrain! Love those clouds. Very cool and excellent work.
chrispoole
I don't understand Ashkelon once again.... is this Israel or I pressume it's a style of another artist i'm not familiar with but the render is most excellent, very chuncky and beautiful lighting and mats.
9841007
Very nice, I'm loving it!
choronr
It seems the variety of what one can produce with this terrain is endless ...tis a beauty Mark.
Ionel
Excellent pov indeed! That pool is amazing!
ialora
Lovely shade of blue in the water.
Domi48
Once again, bravo!
Foxfire66
That surfacing is just magnificant!! As is the whole Image. Great water too!
WeeLaddie
Excellent terrain and sky; lovely vivid surfacing and lighting (certainly not bland).
doneydonydone
once again this looks great -- great title and excellent water settings!!
ppetersen
Seems someone's planted grasses... Love it Mark... the terrain, pov and surfacing are outstanding...
mamabobbijo
It seems that Ashkelon isn't as devoid of life as it has seemed in the past! A rebirth! Has it been organized by a sentient occupant or Just beginning to recover on it's own because there are no sentient residents? Thanks the colours are amazing and definitely point to re genesis! BJ
pawpaw52
Once again a fantastic image!
Thelby
A Very Nice Different POV!!!
wizardofnoz
Without question, its utterly magnificient!
orions_hope
Very nice perspective. I'm going to have to stop looking .I'm finding I want to use most of your pieces for the awesome backgrounds.