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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (22)
Chipka
WOW! Fantastic image of an interesting world! Beautifully rendered. This is quite a striking image! The world itself is quite interesting as well, and I'd love to see more of it!
alltheoriginalnames
Great landcsape and perpetual dawn. Wonderfuly vibrant colors. Very well done. Intersting concept as well with the rotation.
juca
Perfect scene!! Its like a real!!
xplosivemind
Another wicked landscape. Great job mate. The atmo is awesome. I love the moon and sun.
artgum
Tremendous work Mark. The clouds and atmosphere are surely alienesque- awesome detail on the surfaces/terrain. I'm not a morning person, so this planet is off limits for me (LOL).
choronr
Agree with Paul; your surface work and overlays worked out beautifully. The entire picture is a winner!
Savage_dragon
I love the aura look to the clouds. The surface is amazing. True workmanship! ")
RGUS
Neat.. fantastic detail in the rocks... well bloody done!
azrabella
Stunner... a Markal gem of an image.
Petra-S
wonderful light and textur..super image!
Alex_NIKO
Beautiful landscape! Great detail!!
DeathTwister
Another nice one, but this one is easy to tell it is Terragen.
Blitzz-Licht
kanzler
Wonderful work Markal!!!
Bleurelatif
Superb !!
Tiwiwine
Beautiful scene. The shoreline is very well done.
fusionx
The texturing on this looks great!!
X-PaX
Wonderful image.
DMoulton
WOW! The more I look the better your wok gets this is stunning.
mamabobbijo
As a night person, the last thing I see before sleep is the sunrise. This one is amazing!
superior
Splendid composition !!! Beautiful colors :)
efron_241
the scene for an epic journey... One expects a lonesome traveler to arrive .. wonderful desolate place