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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (23)
Fidelity2
Amazing image and technique.
KatesFriend
Beauty
Plantagenaut
Now your talking! That spacecraft landed in my backyard about 15 years ago! Excellent work!
Dotthy
Excellent render and more than excellent post work. Stunning work man!!!!!!!!!!!
Chipka
Dotthy said it...Stunning work, man! I love this image, it's so sharp and crisp and well composed. The detail is great and the colors are gorgeous! This is definitely worth high praise and LOTS of attention.
garadir
Wow. an excellent scene. 5++
wingnut55
very nice work !
Bleurelatif
Unreal !!! I like that !
artgum
Top notch work- you haven't done one with a ship streaking across the sky in a while. Great Sci Fi scene.
Platin
Great SF-Scenne!!!!
Petra-S
brilliant sky and light!
mamabobbijo
Very cool shadows cast by the flyer. Amazing scene. Wonderful sky.
Loveheart
Clear, beautiful scene.
lethalliam
Awesome.
Kattey
Some free spaceship models are in Renderosity freepozitory Also in DAZ Bridge Bundle you can have a Stinger for free http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/shop/itemdetails/-/?item=5504 Vanishing Point, I believe, has some as well. Here is a search engine http://www.whatever3d.com/ Beautiful picture :) I like gree worlds :)
Savage_dragon
Kick butt job!! ")
AwarenessLogic
Makes me wish I was there... (okay, maybe with a presure suit!)
DeathTwister
Oh wow Fantastic /smile
xplosivemind
Sweet image mate.
mooskey99
Magnificent work
fractalinda
Cool scene, view and lighting. Fantastic!
X-PaX
Very nice image. IMHO the surface is a bit to sharp but the terrain and the sky are beautiful.
orions_hope
Wow nice work. Would you grant me permission to use background?