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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (29)
faroutsider
Glad you survived to bring back this image. Excellent!
kasalin
"Hot stuff" ...... so wonderful and excellent, Mark !!!
Staticon
I've just toasted my bread in front of this image.
Excellent render.
knigth
Spectacular, a lava of most finely reproduced, an image virtual more really than in the nature. I shall say that it is of lexcellent work.
gerberc
Awesome!
Petra-S
super effect!
Porthos
Hot stuff! :)
thecytron
Spectacular scenery!
artgum
Wow- I keep trying to look closer, but the heat coming off the scene makes it difficult! Great molten stuff.
amapitodd
Great scene. Looks like I need to bring some sun block lotion. SPF 1,000!
DeathTwister
Nice arse crust and Lava Mate, well done comp as well.
X-PaX
Wow. This one is very hot. Excellent surfaces.
lyron
Extraordinary work!!
azrabella
Don't know how you did this, Mark... but I'm glad you did. Most inspirational.
Keymilan
Great scene !
scifibabe
Gorgeous vibrant color in this. Great lava effect and fabulous terrain. Very nice work!
shantay
Fantastic! a believable portrait of Mercury!
choronr
A nice, sun-side of the closest planet to Sol. You've got to do one on the 'twilight zone' of the planet.
geirla
Very nice job on the terrain and on the sun postwork!
prutzworks
speechless
doneydonydone
HAVE YOU USED CAUSTICS STYLE WATER TO CREATE THE LAVA??
shingleboot
Awesome work my friend!
fuzzoom
Fantastic lava...also, is that an Apophysis fractal in the postwork? Excellent work!
Kattey
Thank you very much for that picture!
tetsu-pino
Wow!!! Very beautiful color and composition!!! Excellent done!!
mikeerson
You read me like a cheap book - thanks for the image... great job.
voske
very hot!!!Fantastic surfaces ,excellent!!!!
capitanpescanova
Very well achieved effect of heat and fire. Always excellent!!!
Art_Ramos
This is just stunning!