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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (35)
tetsu-pino
Fantastic and atmospheric scene...Very beautiful work!!
DarkStormCrow
Excellent spacescape scene, well done...
capitanpescanova
The light in your images is incredibly stunning. Wonderful and astonishing work.
Art_Sorcery
Geez! My Terragen can't do this!! You must have the latest. Fantastic pic! :^)
DeathTwister
Sweet
rj2650
Awesome image. The lighting is great. It almost looks like a photo. And, I try not to think - it gives me a headache.
geirla
Nice colors. Yeah it does have that 50's look, especially in the distance.
faroutsider
Another great exotic holiday destination for my mesh! I love it...
fractalinda
I love the beautiful colors and the cool foreground surface. Perfect light and POV, and the terrain rocks! Awesome and excellent work, Mark.
odile
Great light!
scifibabe
Oh wow - the colors is this are outstanding. Love the feel of it too. Great composition and lighting. Fav for me.
artgum
Great sense of scale- love the turquoise and teal shades.
ppetersen
Love the terrain Mark, the single stone mountain (looks like a monument) lends a beauty to it... like it's calling one. Excellent and outstanding surfacing as always...
dbrv6
really wonderful landscape
Porthos
.·:¨¨:·. O U T S T A N D I N G! .·:¨¨:·.
GPensanti
You are by far the best I have seen in these types of landscapes. ANOTHER wonderful desktop background for me to look at while on the machine.....Geno
Rich2
50's look? I was WAY to young to remember that. OK, sort of a little young, maybe... Yet you keep pulling these out of your hat - nicely done!
mamabobbijo
Yeah sort of, but I can't say why. Maybe the colours. You kniw that comercial, " Calgon, take me away" ? That's exactly how I feel about your art. I'm absolutely transported! In the best mind easing, soul cleansing kind of way. So Thanks so very much for the free rides and always amazing destinations!
Savage_dragon
This is a really cool one, Mark. Love the colors used. Reminds me a little of a Leon Uris title. ")
OrphanedSoul
The richness is exquisit!
RGUS
Awesome.. the monolith from 2001 A space Odessey just popped into my head... this is cool!
Maori
Excellent surface work and impressive work as always!
mikeerson
Awesome water works... an alien fish or two would of really grabbed some attention. great piece.
kanzler
Beautiful colors.Love the water!
X-PaX
I totally agree with ppetersen. Well done Mark.
wholehog
Terrific image Mark, excellent texturing!
crag_dolomite
spectacular image and texturing
RetroDevil
fantastic scene :D terragen looks like an awesome program :D
Darkwish
You did EXT work! Very well done!
clam73
fantastic terrain and details and great view....brilliant!!