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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (26)
Maori
Beautiful sky and water!!! Phenomenal POV as always!
mikeerson
Instant fave. Seeing images like this makes me want to do them, but I'm not into the background creation in 3D yet - story and character is where I'm at - Maybe next year I'll get into this - lol.
BenBischop
Awesome Render...!!!!
Fidelity2
Super creative. Thanks a lot. 5+.
faroutsider
Outstanding image - your terrain work, water and lighting are magnificent.
DeathTwister
Wow, I am stunned by the beauty
bloodnok
What a super, atmospheric image. The submarged rocks, the clouds, the whole tone of this is great.
lyron
Fantastic!!!!
choronr
A serenade in sepia ...that cloud formation really sets off this marvelous piece of work.
Savage_dragon
Super caustics on a wonderful terrain. Great colors & strat. Love that reflection! ***** ")
azrabella
Incred... Fabul... Nice one Mark.
WeeLaddie
A beauty, Mark. Love how that cloud is reaching out to the moon, and the reflecting light on the still water is a brilliant touch.
Chaosphoto
Yet another very believable sci fi style landscape, well done
artgum
Extraordinary work Mark!
gerberc
Superb terrain and surface! Love the idea to use a caustics map as surface layer for rocks, it works very well here!
prutzworks
cool ocre tones
kasalin
A masterpiece again !!!!!!
sintoock
Excellent!
thecytron
AmaZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzing landscaping! Great rendering work!
X-PaX
Very nice image Mark. Especially the water is wonderful.
scifibabe
Cool terrain - spots and stripes. Wonderful moon and sky. Very cool landscape and composition. Nice work.
Kattey
love it
Zamanuirileski
Great work! Very well done!
capitanpescanova
fascinating landscape
KatesFriend
Beautiful.
kanzler
Very nice surface work and pov.I like the colors too!