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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
nikki112459
Uhhhh Nice. I like the tree and the POV is Fab. Great work.
stukes
Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful!!!! 5++++
Gionni
Really great work!
Savage_dragon
Cool Bonsai. The water caustics are great. Another super terrain & planet! ***** ")
azrabella
You know how to do it, that's for sure. Oh, and Bourbon ain't that bad. Trouble is, when I drink the drink, I forget how to turn my computer on... but by that time I don't give a ...
Amosicho
great work
amapitodd
Very cool scene. Brilliant.
shayhurs
and they would gripe why? Really nice render!
ialora
Wow! Great postwork and composition!
Maori
Striking scene!
Rich2
We TG purists ain't such an unforgiving lot... The tree is a nice addition!
choronr
Like who needs TG2 when you can do this! Another one of your best pieces.
Chaosphoto
Still looking for constructive criticism ?. OK then, "I love it " :)
BenBischop
Beautiful Scene....!!
twistednoodle
This is nice I really like the realism! Sounds weird for a fantasy scene but you know what I mean - the tree and moon are really nice additions.
artgum
Love the fish- it's a beauty Mark!
scifibabe
Not sure why I'm the first one to fav this. I just loved this as soon as I set eyes on it. Fabulous beauty - love the water and the tree and the big big moon. This is such a great picture!
DeathTwister
HAhah frigging sweet bro, and love the water mapping on the caustics, very nice work.
mikeerson
The moon almost looks "Earthy" in a way... Love the water, depth... the island with the tree - I like how the detail in it ends by the edge of the blurred water. I'd like to see you do more with this style picture.... Maybe even started a series called "Worlds" In this one, I could see a few cave woman sitting around, one drinking out of the water... YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
faroutsider
Magnificent work! The tree, water caustics, lighting and beautifully balanced composition are all perfect. Roger Dean, eat your heart out! (oops, giving my age away... :o)
lyron
Excellent work!!
Porthos
Magnificent!! :)
X-PaX
Very cool work Mark. I like the little fishs in the water. Nice postwork. Maybe the tree is a bit unsharp but that is only my opinion.
kasalin
The details are so beautiful and overwhelming !!!!!!!!!!!
WeeLaddie
This wonderful composition reaffirms the quality of your work. I'm not a purist and also like adding post objects to Terragen renders. The bonsai tree is a great feature of the scene, although (as already pointed out) it is slightly blurred.
RGUS
An image is an image no matter what you use to create it... and it just shows your skills with all medium. I really like the fish and the caustics of the water!
Zamanuirileski
Its amazing!!!
ledwolorz
Wonderful composition and work.
prutzworks
another great scene
gerberc
Wonderful composition and mood!