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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (39)
capitanpescanova
This landscape has an excellent structure!!! Excellent!
scifibabe
Beautiful picture. Love the terrain and the positioning of the crescent moon behind the rocky mountain. Wonderfully soft lighting and nice mood to this picture. You definitely get a feeling of distance looking at it.
akulla
This is a keeper, well done.
blacq_nyght_vampyre
This is so beautiful. I wish I was there.
KatesFriend
That is awesome and a perfect title. One could imagine an early civilization believing that heaven is reached by climbing such a mountain. In such a place no doubt the rarefied and pristine air would encourage the experience of visions.
faroutsider
Wow! Awesome (I really am in awe!)
lyron
Wonderful terrain and work!!
ISSE
Liked it too much
pclavett
Hi Mark ! I have taken the time to look at your works for the past week and although I have not left comments on them, I did look and enjoyed these fantastic works ! I just love these surrealistic worlds and the mood conveyed by them ! This one has kept my attention and the reason I posted on this one ! My God.... the textures are just awesome ! The terrain is also quite perfect and leads us to believe there was once a city underneath ! Love all the postwork on your picts ! So there is still some good coming out of Terragen 0.9 !!! Excellent work on all your postings Mark ! Have a good day !