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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (27)
Savage_dragon
I think this is wonderful, Mark! I haven't worked much on panos either. Well done! ")
artgum
Excellent- one gets a feeling of "Stonehenge" with an ominous twist- that meteor could cause a great upheaval.
scifibabe
A gorgeous view of the comet in the sky and a beautiful otherworldly scene. Nice work!
amapitodd
Excellent scene.
choronr
We see a lot of these out here. The mountain north of me blocks out the city lights; and, the Indian reservation is just south of us - so, the night sky is black and filled with stars. Hey Mark I like the picture. Keep working with the panos. Tip: POVs from far back on zoom will sometimes produce good panoramics. Yes, small details are lost; but, with good composition and atmosphere, you should be able to come up with some goodies.
gerberc
Stunning!
faroutsider
Another otherworldly winner! Excellent.
kasalin
Outstanding.....a super panorama work !!! You did it very well ... love the strong colours here... the light and the comet are overwhelming !!!
neo_primal
real nice
rj2650
Cool image. Great job.
capitanpescanova
stunning effects of atmosphere and light
Porthos
Beautifully done!
bloodnok
Like the whole,brooding atmosphere. For someone who "hasn't perfected panoramas yet" you made an outstanding job of this. Well done. Red
Petra-S
wonderful light and textur!
Prematos
Great...
azrabella
Brilliant...
prutzworks
cool (Monument Valley-like) shot ps: tip about pano's stitching separated renders to avoid camera distortions an idea?
fuzzoom
Gorgeous desert scene. I like the atmosphere.
DeathTwister
Woo nice Southwest Scene bro.
X-PaX
Beautiful image. I like the atmosphere.
inkydigit
awesome scene Mark....simply beautiful!
mikeerson
Looks great, kinda gives me that cowboy feel, then I start thinking futuristic... It could be interpreted that a missile has blown up and another one is coming in for the strike - cool creation.
Art_Ramos
I like the texture of the plains and the comet!
KatesFriend
I like it.
shantay
This is a magical place! Great texturing and amazing sky!
voske
Simple beautiful!!!!Splendid work!!!!
Naoo
Beautiful Light & Mood!!!