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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (36)
gerberc
Superb terrain surface and light beams!
Panka
Beautiful!:)
tigertim
Superb terrain render..love the moons and lighting!
Valion301
I love the movement in here, you definitly did well with achieving a triangle in the composition. =0) Awesome work!
rj2650
Really beautiful image. The rays and lighting are perfect. Great job.
bcrathburn
Ilove this render, the terrain is just beautiful ++++++ Shadow
faroutsider
Stunning image! That calendar sounds like a good idea...
NefariousDrO
Very beautiful work, Strong realism and the lighting/sky is fantastic.
kasalin
Very beautiful !! Beautiful light and surface !!Your planet is positioned very good !!
marzo
Great rays!
Porthos
Magnificent, love the God Rays! ;)
Kattey
Wonderful goldenshadework! :)
thecytron
Great render!
artgum
The rock and water surfaces in the foreground really add to the realism. The planets are so well balanced with the sky- very nice Mark.
DeathTwister
Sweet one
Risus
Lovely, as always!
odile
Wonderful !!
Alex_NIKO
Cool lighting.. great work my friend!
GPensanti
Yet another great desktop background that I can look at and enjoy during my time spent on the machine...........THANKS, Geno
Art_Ramos
Excellent light beams!!! One quibble would be that the smaller moon is blocking atmospheric light beams ?!?!?
ialora
Oooo! Great lighting and I love the double moon alignment.
mikeerson
I like this one lots... YOU'VE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
me109
Wonderful view. I love those rays. The little moon seems to drop shadows too. This is very clever imho, but also a bit disturbing ;o)
scifibabe
Beautiful space scene. Love the colors and the lighting. Instant fav from me. :)
kanzler
Fantastic.Love the lighting.
tetsu-pino
Fantastic and beautiful scene!! Splendid work!!
Savage_dragon
Smashing work! ")
fractalinda
Fantabulous. An excellent render..and so beautiful.
RGUS
What an incredible concept... awesome image to make me believe as well!
prutzworks
xlt scifiscape