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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (33)
nosawayne
Fantastic!
gerberc
Excellent terrain and atmo! Thanks for the technical detail!
choronr
This looks ripe for exploration ...an eyecatcher.
mikeerson
On the Edge of Nowhere... cool.
prutzworks
cool haze
azrabella
You are making this genre your own... another cracker.
grafikeer
Great terrain work again,with excellent atmosphere and distant planet...another fantastic image!
Trollmac
Excellent scene, seems to absorb you in..
Porthos
Outstanding work, love the terrain!
ialora
Wow! That's one heck of a view! Nice framing and scale.
Planetscape
Now that looks deep! Superb mood!
Darkwish
You did very nice pic!
kasalin
Perfect work - beautiful !!
DeathTwister
OMG that is so beautiful bro.
Savage_dragon
Oh, this is so cool!
artgum
Terrific POV.
scifibabe
Gorgeous work. I really like this POV and the colors of the planet in the background. Beautiful!
thecytron
AmaZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzing scenery!
felinx
Superbe !!!
tetsu-pino
Great!!! Very well done!!!!
DMoulton
This is what I have been missing in life. A chance to view your wonderful work this is outstanding my friend.
DanteDAnthony
I LOVE that planet in the sky!
RGUS
Incredible... such amazing atmosphere... I feel like being there!
capitanpescanova
Terrific terrain, an fantastic texture for the ground!!!
Kattey
Like tracks of explorer vehicle on the ground :)
KatesFriend
I looks like a place giants once tread.
shingleboot
Nifty! I love the composition.
faroutsider
Brilliant sci-fi artwork!
Rich2
Perfectly chosen POV here - the thick haze makes you feel there's an infinitely deep chasm!
fractalinda
Fantastic world and scene! Perfect mist atmo and large moon. Awesome POV and a cool, beautiful surface. Excellent always!