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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (32)
arcas
Intriguing light in the valley and I like the painterly sky.
Joko-Style
wonderful landscape,very good light!
NefariousDrO
Fascinating landscape, you have a very mysterious feeling to this with the sky and the lighting. Very cool!
carlx
Wonderful night vista!!!
stbc
I love TG snow scenes, and this is a good one. Terrifically good terrain, too.
Dootz
Wow! Great light on dark contrast! Good choice! Good camera angle too - it frames the lit butte in the distance perfectly. I really like this one.
gerberc
Excellent terrain and light, you seem to enjoy WM 2!! Very well done!!
Art_Ramos
This is a great image! I'll have to try World Machine 2!!!
prutzworks
lighting rocks and I like the snow
DeathTwister
Wow do I love your work, very nice bro.
thecytron
Great scenery! AmaZZZZZZZZZZzzzzing illumination FX!
Petra-S
wonderful light and surface!
scifibabe
Very cool scene - love the contrast of the light snow against that dark blue. Beautiful textures and colors in this. Nice work.
Kattey
AHhhhhhhhhh! ^_^
artgum
A quiet and thoughtful scene- yes, brought the temperature here down 10 degrees; thanks!
dbrv6
very desolate and perhaps to quiet it might not be snow at all as it appears to be more of a desert setting. I imagine if it snowed in the desert this is what it might look like. Very interesting lights.
fractalinda
Wonderful moody sky and perfect lighting. Great snowcover and a beautiful scene.
Savage_dragon
Yeah. We got desert thunderstorms & flooding. 110*+ & rain. I'm used to 3% humidity. Yuck! So, thank you very much for this sweet cool down! ")
Porthos
Mangificent work!
DarkStormCrow
Very nice, well done...
mikeerson
amen to that brother... it has been hot... love to see you getting into the elements (snow)... I hope you had a chance to read my comments, I'd like to see you play with fire, lava... basically a planet like mercury... I love your landscaping and your my fave at that... I'm going into Hell in my story and would love to see what kind of images you may have to help influence me.
kasalin
Brrrrr - so cold this mood here - but perfectly composed and arranged !!! Top work !! Love your stars !!!
GPensanti
Love the dramatic use of the lighting.
tetsu-pino
Fantastic scene!! Great render!!!
choronr
Great pictures always have excellent contrasts as does this one.
shantay
Great TG artwork!
txdream
the Light and Contrast .... Catches one's Eye.. Beautiful render...
faroutsider
Superb landscape and lighting - a real beauty!
wholehog
Great contrast and color scheme!
KatesFriend
A very serene vista. It makes me think of Christmas actually.