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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (27)
gattone_blu
very very beautiful. bravo
efferre
Outstanding and fantastic outer world scenery with an excellent lighting!
Savage_dragon
Super job, Mark! Love how the aurora hits the light. Great weathered look to the terrain. Very cool water, too! ")
Damian979
Great looking landscape, there is alot of depth between the back and forgrounds
artgum
Fantastic work Mark!
sandwood12
again one have to Fanstic Work
Lightpen
This is quite remarkable and the lighting is the best I have seen. Keep it up and tremble the universe!!!!
Petra-S
Wonderful composition, light..genial sky, super texturen!
Chipka
This is incredibly gorgeous...the rendering work is top notch, especially in regard to the play of light and shadow, and the addition of the supernova remnant, imaged by Hubble, simply adds to the grandeur of the scene. Utterly fascinating and quite gorgeous!
Alex_NIKO
Beautiful work!
Lehrlings-Gehilfe
This is really a great render!
mamabobbijo
I thought nothing would ever beat your skies, but the reflection of this one is running a very close race! AWESOME!
gerberc
Beautiful space art, very well done!!
zhaanman
Stunning landscape and scenery what a beauty!!!
Bleurelatif
Not very fan of the foreground overlay....
shantay
Another splendid image, bravo Mark!
leoshades
Keen sky and scene...
DeathTwister
Very interesting how you composite your regular Terragen and Photo Shop together. Now if you knew tgd12, you could do all of that and not have to post process in PS, but I know you know that /smiles....you are fantastic no matter how you make these, just thinking out loud a bit here. easy 5
ascript
Awesome! ;)
Fahrenheit451
Excellent!
KatesFriend
Amazing scenery. Sweeping with vibrant colours.
choronr
A very dramatic scene. There is a lot going on here ...a beauty!
azrabella
Classic Markal.
Apt2Vanish
Wow, theres alot going on here, maybe too much in the sky, not to say that it doesnt grab your eye, cause it grabs it and holds tight, great work
aquablue
Excellent image !!! well made...
xplosivemind
Great image once again. Your planet post work is awesome.
DMoulton
WOW!! This it wonderful my friend just wonderful.