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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.Â
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 (43)
moochagoo
Wow spectacular work !
Chipka
Wonderfully moody. Great scene.
RGUS Online Now!
Hey that's got some neat colours in it... I like blues!
Chaosphoto
how very beautiful, if it was real i would go there for sure
bcrathburn
this is a really nice render i love the sky and the moons,and the water is cool looking also***
DAVER2112
Wow!!!! That turned out really cool, I love it!
mikeerson
I don't know why you'd want to shut off the rateing... You're good for the 5 every time.
Pewter7
This is fabulous artwork, a brilliantly crafted realization of an imaginative and colorfully creative mind :) Awesome pov and atmosphere and sense of openness.
grafikeer
Nicely done...interesting terrains and great lighting...nice integration of the photographic elements!
choronr
By far, this is your best work, You've managed to create a balance here that pleases the eye and draws you into the picture. On the elements of strata and strata colors, I would suggest the colors be the same; but, more subdued; i.e., reduce the saturation and perhaps blur the strata just a bit. They need to be less defined. Even if there were no moons, this would be a masterpiece.
amapitodd
Killer!
DreamersWish
Oh I love the colors in this one! A most lovely creation!
lyron
Excellent terragen work!
Darkwish
You did fantastic works! I love your art! 5
DeathTwister
Very very nice, but to bad the guy is not more in focus.
faroutsider
Another wonderful creation!
capitanpescanova
Fabulous landscape!!!
prutzworks
like the terrain and the lighting is great!
Porthos
Splendid work as always, beautifully done!
scifibabe
Beautiful and serene. Love the textures and colors in this. Such peaceful looking water. Love it.
inkydigit
another trippy classic!
thecytron
Beautiful scenery indeed!
tetsu-pino
Very beautiful scene!! Splendid composition and fantastic mood!! Great work!!!
Rich2
Time for one more comment before I sign off - Now, I like the lighting on this one. And maybe if you added a shark's fin in the foreground...?
X-PaX
Interesting terrian and very nice lighting. Well done.
lumi
excellent!
BenBischop
Wonderful Image....!!
artgum
Superb work Mark!
twistednoodle
Love the terrain - nice use of strata - excellent as always!
Denisss
Malgré tout, cette ile à l'air accueillante !!! Travail étonnant sous TG9. Bravo !