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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (26)
christianfly
Excellent work. The light is perfect here and the postwork is top. Maybe the right part has a small end of terrain effect. But all is splendid.
sim3344
Beautiful space view,excellent work!!
janedj
Beautiful space!!!
athesdan
agree with christianfly
sanosoke
Hi Mark, Lovely image, as always, but I have a couple criticisms. Firstly, watch out, although they are beautiful, a lot of your recent images have had very similar looks and feels. I would like to see a little more variaty from you :) Also, I think you should try learning how to make your own planets and starfields in photoshop, since you love using them so much. If you want, I can point you over to a couple of good tutorials, and give any of my own advice that I can :)
Darthmagus
Splendid composition!
RGUS
Arh man.. awesome... I could wrap a whole story just around this one image.. INCREDIBLE!
d51
Beautiful image!!!!!! Wonderful!
Bleurelatif
Typical markalian picture :)
Petra-S
super light and sky!
mamabobbijo
Superbly done lighting and awesome sky! The reflections on the water make me wish to drift here for a while. BJ
choronr
A dazzler with beautiful balance!
Despo
Excellent work
Raven78
Great atmo, beautiful work :)
calico1
Very nice. Great landscaping and beautiful back planet. Beautiful overall.
kanzler
Wonderful composition and colors!
Savage_dragon
Beautiful. I love the added sandy color. It adds the perfect touch. ")
Tiwiwine
Great render. The light is very well used here.
Maori
Marvelous!!!!!
KatesFriend
Wonderful crisp blue look. Awesome landscape and skies.
aquablue
Wonderful scene in the blue tones !!!!!!
kiki35
love this city-port !
wizardofnoz
Clearly carries the signature of ur work... contrasts, perspective a large moon, enigmatic terrain and eyecatching!!!!
superza
Superb Mood!!
juca
Fantastic image superb terragem work!!
lankybonez
WOW! Awesome lighting and texturing!