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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (34)
pclavett
Still making those great space scenes Mark ! Wonderful work in all respects ! Absolutely stunning.. and that mist.... awesome !!!
NefariousDrO
Fantastic! mysterious, magical, even. one of your best, and that's really saying something!
geirla
Nice background! Love the fog
bkhook
Trippppppeeeeeeeee... Love it!
Savage_dragon
I really like this terrain. Well put together, Mark! ")
artgum
A beautiful, serene mood and atmosphere!
shingleboot
Outstanding image, very well done.
prutzworks
cool low haze
lyron
Excellent work!!!
WeeLaddie
A wonderful harmony of colours (blue-black with fiery highlights). Visually striking and appealing. Love it.
bloodnok
Great, moody atmosphere. Super stellar background
ialora
Mysterious and beautiful! I particularly like that sky!
Petra-S
Fantastic light and creation!
Naoo
WOW perfect Mood!
grafikeer
Love the low lighting and mood...excellent spacescape!
liltawen
Gorgeous colors I especially like the mist
Kattey
I looks like a lighthouse on brink of alien sea :) Thank you very much.
amapitodd
Brilliant work.
stbc
Agree with Paul Clavette. Cool fog effects.
DeathTwister
Wow awesome
lumi
awesome! fantastic lighting!!
kasalin
Beautiful mood, colours and light, excellent surface... the galaxy is spectacular !!
stier
Great image, and that fog,yes very cool!
ppetersen
So otherworldly my mouth wouldn't close Mark. Amazing ground, fog like look. In awe here. Beautifully done and fully you!!!
BenBischop
Brilliant....!!
choronr
As always, another brilliant piece of digital art!
Dotthy
great work, love the dark blue atmo, excellent as always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
X-PaX
Very cool image. The terrain looks very cool with the fog. I also like the background. Well done.
scifibabe
Oh, this is so pretty. Love the colors in the space background. Great foreground too - dark and foreboding. Wonderful work!
KatesFriend
Wonderful.