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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.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 (24)
Thandaluz
Majestic.
janedj
Beautiful image!!Hugs Jane
prutzworks
cool backdrop & lighting
OrphanedSoul
Awesome image!
Rich2
Dark and mysterious - you incorporate those space images quite convincingly!
pixels29
beautiful work and color !
thecytron
Very good rendering!
artgum
Gorgeous colors- almost an aurora effect on the horizon.
DeathTwister
oh so awesome
Savage_dragon
I'm so contagious. Lol. Just kidding. You know I love the greens, surface master. & the post work rocks! ")
Petra-S
Fantastische Gestaltung..super mit diesem "grün" Toller Himmel und super wasser!
Kattey
Green, dark, gold, sense of space. I love this picture :)
shingleboot
WOW! Awesome work! Has life.
Dotthy
I'll repeat Petra, fantastic composition ... super with this green great sky and super Water :) I agree with her. Excellent work!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me109
Excellent Space Art... love the caustics!
Alex_NIKO
Beautiful work!
theconqueror
Excellent image....well done...
choronr
I like the colors here; and the entire composition ...well done Mark!
kanzler
Wonderful colors and light!
fractalinda
Love the colors and the render is top-notch. Fantastic and excellent work, Mark!
SusiQ
Oh, I am so glad to be back among your beautiful worlds. Your interpretation of the amospheres are so uniquely you.... I would have messed up mine with a tinge of mist on the water but yours is lovely! Hugs!
Tiwiwine
Superb colors.
KatesFriend
This looks like one of those exotic world where we would find Rocket Robin flighting some evil force. Very cool stuff. The vibrant lights and colours in the sky really make the scene.
stardiver
Beautiful place, but looks to be quite toxic.