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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (22)
art_gur_lie
nice work! always love yer stuff!
Waver88
Well done... Very kool landscape and composition...
foreignpress
Very nice job. This rendering opens up a whole array of thoughts, mental images and other creative ideas for me. More of this type would be appreciated.
shingleboot
Awesome work! Very realistic.
elfguy
Nice work!
Savage_dragon
I dunno'. Looks pretty spectacular to me. ")
mikeerson
Haven't played too much with landscapes, but it shocks me that you were thinking not to post it... I really like it. YOU'VE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
ledwolorz
Wonderful landscape and amazing work.
artgum
The visual transition from the moons to the sun is nice- I think it's a great terrain; really nice strata.
choronr
Wasted land perhaps; but, easy on the eyes!
Petra-S
Fantastic light, atmo and colors..wonderful images!
larparmit
Awesome work!
DeathTwister
Oh very nice
X-PaX
Very nice Mark. Well done.
OrphanedSoul
Superb!
Rich2
Wasteland, so you think, Grasshopper? When you are truly ready, then pebbles you will snatch from my hands... Nicely done, Mark!
fractalinda
Awesome terrain and surface work. Superb lighting and atmosphere, and the colors are lovely. Excellent work, Mark.
Art_Ramos
Great landscape! Love the two other planets (or moons)!
faroutsider
Excellent alien vista!
KatesFriend
Another fantastic scene. Sweeping in its exotic and rugged beauty.
wholehog
Nice rock texture, love the plantary alignment!
stardiver
Awesome. Nature makes better looking wastelands that what man could make.