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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (38)
didi_mc
Wow, I do like the sci-fi look of this, most impressive...excellent work.
artgum
Oh, yeah! But is this the present, future, or past? Excellent Mark.
NefariousDrO
This is a wonderful piece, full of mystery and great surface treatments. Wonderful!
MRX3010
Interesting work.
DeathTwister
OKie I admit very tasty, how you do that?
tetsu-pino
Fantastic scene!! Excellent work.
blankfrancine
Superb sci-fi TG.
grafikeer
Excellent colours,textures and POV!I shall have to check out your gallery....great work!!
MNArtist
Don't usually comment on Terragen scenes, as I'm not a user, but this is an excellent render. Congratulations!
odile
Great sci-fi scene with beautiful color and render.
ppetersen
Outstanding Mark. The atmosphere gives rise to the eerie feeling one has looking at this. A statement on our future ?? Seriously awesome terrain, surfacing and that POV gives the image the feel of a lost civilazation.
kasalin
The view and landscape are genial !! Wonderful surface work and colours !!
faroutsider
Wow! Great sci-fi image.
scifibabe
Very cool picture. Has an eerie/spooky feel to it. Great job with the texturing and colors. Lovely work.
Kattey
Judging from two moons it is probably them, not us :) But yes, the picture is amazing.
Savage_dragon
Cool forms & erosion. Awesome! ")
gchuck
Just amazing! Excellent render!
OrphanedSoul
Wonder of an image!
Maori
Beautiful and incredible work!!!
AndyWelder
Your structures never fail to amaze me.
KatesFriend
One wonders what we'll find when this day comes. This is rather thought provoking.
ialora
Excellent! It does indeed look like a long forgotten and lost in the sands of time city.
Porthos
Very Impressive, excellent work!
emailandthings
looks familiar..
fractalinda
A real jaw-dropper!
Art_Ramos
Reminds me of a book I just finished called "Engines Of God" by Jack McDevitt
X-PaX
Very nice image Mark. I like the sand texture. For me the picture does not look like a science fiction picture rather it looks like a very old forgotten Maya temple. Well done.
mikeerson
Looks like Egypt... looks like ancient more modern civilization ruins. cool.
mikeerson
Looks like Egypt... looks like ancient more modern civilization ruins. cool.
Alex_NIKO
Very nice work!