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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (28)
RGUS
Geeeezus... incredible.. ripples and all.. fabulous image!!!!
janedj
Fantastic....Just beautiful!!!!
saeltari
Beautiful water!
WeeLaddie
Love this pillared terrain, and beautiful colour scheme.
azrabella
I agree with all of the above... and then some. *****
X-PaX
Very nice postwork with the planets. The water looks fantastic. This could be Atlantis.
Savage_dragon
Great work! ")
DeathTwister
I can see you found the water tutorials we have been playing with, but how did you get those waves to do that? That cannot be photoshoped, very well done, easy 5 from me. Nice work my friend.....
Kattey
Very nice, soft colors.
mamabobbijo
Simply gorgeous! BJ
fractalinda
Great title and an awesome mood. Beautiful colors and perspective and excellent work!
Bleurelatif
As usual : impressive !
athesdan
very great !
Toxxic
WOW...just WOW!
Tiwiwine
Very well done. The contrast between the blue and golden parts is splendid.
kanzler
Love the blue water!The planets are fantastic too.
artgum
Fabulous water and color!
choronr
Like from a dream ...classic Markal work!
Fahrenheit451
An awesome Masterpiece! The water is incredible Mark!
efflux
Nice work. I love that water.
superza
Hi Markal, the water colours are incredible, Fantastic!
aarontyler
I love the water color and ripple effect. Postwork as always. How did you get such blue water with that atm?
Rich2
When I get through writing my best-seller sci-fi novel, this is going on the cover! Sad thing is I've been on it since I was 16 and only got the first paragraph done. This may take some time... Classic Mark-O!
prutzworks
Bob said it
doneydonydone
helllo mark -- not able to get on here much at the moment - no internet at home -- this had to be commented on because its so much better than the 40/50 images near it in the gallery - ((soz to all other members)) -- ok the terrain could use some T2 displacements/warps/outcrops lol but its the sky/atmos and water that knock everything else out of the park!! amazing use of lunarcell too buddy - hope you and yours are doin well - lee
blacq_nyght_vampyre
I wonder what went into the water to make it ripple..... so awesome.
PattyMD
wonderful!
zhaanman
Man I love the type of look you chose for the type of rock face it gives them even more character!! Plus the setting is truly other worldly beautiful!!