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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (40)
artgum
Incredible- one of your best yet!
choronr
Nature's cauldron; you can feel the heat!
Savage_dragon
I love this one, Mark! The sky is amazing. Sublime surfacing! ")
Porthos
Outstanding, this image rocks!
HorseLips
hey markal...sky and surface match is well done!....wicked terrain
kenwas
Excellent piece!
Petra-S
wow..fantastische Stimmung!
prutzworks
nice glow render
mikeerson
Oh yeah baby! That's what I'm talk'n about! Excellent! And such a cool piece to add with your other planets - I'm glad my words inspired such a beautiful masterpiece - great work... YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
kasalin
Top!!! An eyecatcher !!! Vote !!!
Mousson
WOWWWWWW Impressive...
tetsu-pino
Very beautiful scene!!!
bloodnok
AWESOME!!
Darkwish
Beautiful render!!
carlx
Masterpiece, Mark!!!
DeathTwister
OMG that is well done bro, awesome work
scifibabe
Wonderful work - great color and fantastic image of the nebula. You blended in nicely with the foreground image to produce really awesome art. Love this picture!
X-PaX
Very cool. The lava effect is very nice. Another science-fiction masterpiece.
GPensanti
Can feel the heat.............great work.
kanzler
Wow.This is fantastic!
fractalinda
An AWEsome hotbed! Excellent everything and a fantastic image!
BenBischop
Awesome Work.....Go Mike, Go...!!
gerberc
Fully agree with the other comments: this is totally awesome and must be one of your best!
inkydigit
masterful creation....into the faves!
NefariousDrO
Wow, this is magnificent!
shantay
One of you best images, IMHO. Splendid!
KatesFriend
That face in the nebula is a brilliant touch.
brylaz
Wow - what a planet! Excellent work!!
doneydonydone
hey buddy - long time!! this is a stunna - i dont comment here much anymore but this is xxcelent!!
katy555
Great composition and beautiful colors. Bravo...