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.
Â
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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.Â
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)
Kattey
Thank you for the wonderful series :)
Savage_dragon
Superb work, Mark! It looks as if the heavens are alive. Loved the whole series. ")
Chipka
A stunning and beautiful work of art! Fantastic colors, beautiful perspective, and all with a sense of enchantment! Fantastic work!
mikeerson
I'm just seeing your work for the first time. You mention you just finished the series and it sounded like it was taxing you. I know how that can go. I started a series in October and hope to finish it before March... but, realistically, if it's done By April, I'll be happy. Nice work on this picture. I'm dealing more with uderstanding the character form of poser - done very little work with backgrounds.
Belit
Wow great image.
shayhurs
Spectacular!
choronr
Hey Mark; Orion has six more stars - you've only covered Rigel. Beautiful work once again.
DeathTwister
Mmmmm Yum Yum
janedj
This is gorgeous...fantastic colors!!!!!Hugs Jane
Petra-S
wieder sehr gelungen!
azrabella
Very well done. Now what?
pixels29
beautiful scene !
Seaview123
This is a beautiful planet scape. well done.
Realm_Of_Illusion
Wow, intense!
OrphanedSoul
A very nice image!
flaviok
Imagem extraordinária, aplausos (5)
ISSE
Beautiful done
smantha
wow, fantastic!
barticus
Love the contrast! Sheer unadulterated class!
Amethystwolf
So beautiful!
Dotthy
excellent work, loved the power in it!!!!!!!!!!
artgum
Two thumbs up on a great series Mark!
mamabobbijo
I have enjoyed each entry in this amazing series! They are all so gorgeous!
fractalinda
Fantasmic sky! Awesome and beautiful work, Mark. Excellent!
inkydigit
stunning finale...bravo!
SusiQ
Dotthy hit the nail on the head... The power that is portrayed by this stunning picture is awesome and a bit fearful... Kinda like heading to meet God face to face.. (SQ shivers as gooseflesh appears all over her bod....) Hugs
helanker
OH MY it is breathtaking.
capitanpescanova
I have discovered your gallery few minutes ago and I'd like to comment all and every one of your images. Every one of them are astonishing. I am collecting it!