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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (26)
Petra-S
super creation!
prutzworks
like the terrain, atmospheric depth and your amazing postwork. straight into my favs
mikeerson
I spaced out that they found rings around yourannus - lol... cool shot, the planet feels like it is touching the other one.
choronr
Thank goodness for Uranus, otherwise, what would we name this beautiful image?
azrabella
Nice one, Mark - cool colours. Off to the icy depths of Pluto next?
kasalin
Mark, this is fantastic, love the fog, glow, planet here !!!
neo_primal
nice
Porthos
Awsome, love the low lying fog!
tetsu-pino
Very beautiful scene!!!! Excellent render!!!!!
Savage_dragon
So cold! Excellent job, Mark! ")
DeathTwister
Oh wow and what savage said /winks
artgum
Excellent work Mark!
thecytron
AmaZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzing scenery! Great render! Stunning colors!
RetroDevil
wow, very very cool!! one of my faves :D nice one
inkydigit
super cold looking....love the ice/methane?haze!
superza
Superb Blue Glow!!
Kattey
Ghost planet! Thank you, very, very nice!
faroutsider
Terrific work!
Art_Ramos
Love the ringed planet in the background! Great job!
Rich2
It's about time you showed us Uranus. It looks a lot bigger than I expected, to say the least... but TMI about the rings... (ahem). All rectological jokes aside - very fanciful compilation! And you got the shading of the planet pretty accurately, too!
me109
Very cool colors :)
scifibabe
Amazing scifi scene. Gorgeous vibrant color. Love the planet of Uranus in the background. This is such a cool and wonderful picture. Love it!
X-PaX
Very cool terrain. I like the blue colors and your great postwork. Would like to know how you make the planet rings. Excellent work.
fractalinda
Fantastic and beautiful. Excellent!
Darkwish
Beautiful pic! Great one!
capitanpescanova
Stunning atmosphere. A real delight to see!!!