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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
Chipka
Funny how that works: the love/hate relationship an artist can have with the work being produced. As for me, I love this image, particularly the binary suns, the moons in conjunction, and the whole range of colors and textures. Fantastic stuff. Especially the water.
DarkStormCrow
Excellent, well done...
waldomac
Great work. I love the water. I'm going to have to try Terragen again. It's been too, too long. :)
Chaosphoto
I guess the real way to tell if it's any good is let others judge it. I like it because it is a little surreal and bends a few rules yet looks great
artgum
I can't praise the water enough- superb. I think the balance of your sky and water was well worth any struggles. Excellent art.
mikeerson
Love the effects of the water, and the light edge of the surface... great looking upload. YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
grafikeer
I agree with previous comments...the water is amazing,and I like the atmo in this...the distant blue glow on the horizon coupled with the two planets gives this an eerie,otherworldly look...this was worth the struggle!
choronr
In space, we will find that almost anything is possible. Astonishing Terragineering here!
lyron
Wonderful TG work!!!
MissKajunKitty
Excellent Work ! :)
Petra-S
wonderful images!
tetsu-pino
Excellent work!!! I like this one!!!
neo_primal
cool
prutzworks
cool caustics ;), lighting & postwork!
WeeLaddie
Can't "hate" this scene too much. The proven terrain is a winner. And the caustics and water give a strong impression of an ancient world that was deluged many eons ago. It ticks a lot of boxes for me.
ialora
Wow! That water is amazing!
Thelby
Nice lighting indeed and gotta love that caustic mat, don't see much of it anymore sinse the French Connection left town. I keep my Generator warmed always!!!
bloodnok
Cannot find anything to fault in this superb image: others have said it above, water, horizon lighting, it all seems spot on to me.
faroutsider
I love it! Great colours, composition and stunning water.
lumi
masterpeace!amazing water!
thecytron
Awesome scenery!
Porthos
Outstanding work, beautifully done!
scifibabe
Actually, I love what you've done with this. The planet is a great touch as is the reflection of it in the water. Wonderful water texture too. Great textures and colors in this. I like this one!
Maori
Amazing work, Mark!!!
X-PaX
I like the colors and texture of the water. Very nice image Mark.
DAVER2112
Very cool render!!!!!!!!!!!
BenBischop
It is just Amazing ART.....!!!!!
ArtyRene
Excellent Work mark
ppetersen
Mark, this is still my all time favorites of your terrains. Truely a magnificent one, and what you've done here is transport us once again to a new place!!!
efron_241
Top Terragen you created a superb fantasy world