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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (32)
artgum
"And the ancient city waited for the next millenia..." I really like this one- I'll have to check out this terrain.
DeathTwister
I do not see how you could posibly do this in regular Terragen, I wouldn't be able to get you to do a Tutorial on this particular piece could I? either in private or in a public Tutorial would be sweet. Your texturing in the city is amazing for one things and where do you get your .ter files or how are you making them, I know I think you said you do the Planet work in PS but the rest I haven't a clue and I usually am pretty good at this, and you got me stumped good with this one. What a master you are, WOW
Patapon
16 layers ? My god : I have to learn more... Superb scene and lighning.
Chipka
Fabulous work, deliciously intricate and wonderfully realized...the technical aspects of it are fantastic, but on top of it, the sheer beauty of it rocks! Great stuff.
Kattey
Beautiful :)
WarmFuzzies
Wow!!!
dashboard_jehovah
Ive had terragen for awhile now...just recently bought the liscense. It certainly does open up new frontiers with the full featued program. Awesome job! Can't wait to start exploring layers and such!
choronr
Markalesque!!! As only you can do!
Martchi
Wonderful image,excellent work,bravo!
christianfly
Excellent. All is really fine.
Lehrlings-Gehilfe
great render, i like the planet in the background!
Petra-S
wonderful artwork!
superior
Very beautiful composition ;)
seth93
very very nice render
athesdan
great !
hillrunner
A must in your style !
gr8lykr
NICELY DONE
kanzler
Great textures and colors!Wonderful work!
Savage_dragon
Amazing surface work! Spendid clouds & the atmo is gorgeous! Bravo, Mark! ")
photostar
Wouldn't mind living here at all. Excellent work.
biplap
Quel image, vraiment superbe, les couleurs sont si finements réalisésBravo un travail de maitre.
TallPockets
Looking GOOD, Markal! (Might need the place after we destroy earth one way or another? SIGH). My best to you and yours, T.P.
Bleurelatif
As usual : excellent !!
azrabella
Fab! But I still don't know how you do this? How about a tut?
bclaytonphoto
Old school TG..very cool..I've seen some MJW stuff like this before..
geoegress
nice :)
mamabobbijo
As always beautiful sky. I love the sharpness of the shadows, and the colours in the city. Sadly desolate feel.
KatesFriend
Like the excavations of the ancient Egyptians. Fantastic scene.
katy555
Beauty in simplicity! Wonderful terrain and light!
DukeNukem2005
Surprising artwork! Very beautiful style! Excellent and remarkable!