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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (40)
Kattey
Stunning! Thank you
choronr
Thought provoking; and, creativity at its best!
FUNJOKER
very coooool;)*****.
Rockdog
Now this is pretty cool looking image..
athesdan
splendid lighting
Stargazy
Cool !!!
christianfly
Very creative, postwork is perfect for this kind of scifi image. I like a lot the light too.
azrabella
This is the image I'd love framed and hanging in my study... if only I had a study! Gets top marks from me :)
janedj
Fantastic image!!!
neo_primal
cool.
carlx
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doneydonydone
i bet this little beauty took a while to render - i forget how time consuming full quality settings were with water - in T2 i havent used water once
X-PaX
Very nice. Maybe a spaceship would fit perfect into this scenery.
Savage_dragon
Excellence! ")
kanzler
Fantastic!!!
mamabobbijo
Amazing stuff made moreso! BJ
Foxfire66
Magnificant!! Really nice post work also.
artgum
The wormhole is active!
Petra-S
Genial...wonderful sky..fantastic work!
Fahrenheit451
Masterpiece!
fractalinda
I love the concept and the AWEsome realization. Very cool and so beautiful and [always] excellent!
twistednoodle
very very COOOOOL!
danway
Beautiful, great originality.
inkydigit
very accomplished tg work...as is the pw...again we bow to the spacey master!!!!
Rich2
Ah yes - we know the Markalian worlds like the back of our hands... Always mysterious and intriguing - and at the same time strangely inviting... Like I just love to visit that familiar planet - Aw, man - Let me go there!
superza
Great lightspot and water too!
Gionni
Awesome mood, wonderful artwork!
Tiwiwine
That's a beautiful sci-fi creation... great render !
stbc
Little over the top, maybe? Just teasing, classic stuff Mark!
KatesFriend
What a sight to behold.