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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (29)
Osper
Well done!!
Jollyself
stunningly beautiful
Kattey
A flower!
phil01
Waaahoo!! Fantastic, great work
shayhurs
Cool!
Dotthy
excellent work!!!!!!!!
Nightwright
Great idea and very nice composition, but I think the crystal is a little bit blurred in comparison to the rest of the terrain.
prutzworks
cool idea & realisation
Savage_dragon
I really like this surface. A special piece. & Yes. The screen makes a world of difference! ")
blankfrancine
Great post/work!
netlauv
It's a splendid comp. Lighting is great and render xcellent : Bravo :)
ppetersen
Love this terrain Mark!!!! The POV is outstanding with the addition of the growing crystals perfect. (I want one of those !!!) Beautiful atmosphere, and exquisite surfacing.
amapitodd
Great scene. Fantastic lighting and atmosphere.
bloodnok
Schon!
X-PaX
Cool terrain and nice surface. Maybe the crystal should be placed on the ground but that are only my 2 cents ;)
DeathTwister
Very nice
me109
Sigh :( I was working on a similar idea. But yours looks much better...
choronr
Now, you should give thought to creating some cave scenes ...great render!
scifibabe
This is soooo cool. Love the crystal. Wonderfully imaginative. Great landscaping and cool composition. Nice!
Lissy
Crazy, what a wonderful idea ;) Surface and terrain excellent and super postwork! Bravo!
mikeerson
cool and rock'n scene.
BenBischop
Brilliant Art....!!
Alex_NIKO
Excellent work!
faroutsider
Oh my, those crystals are HUGE! Great image - I particularly like the palette.
kasalin
a miracle that you have created here !!!!!!!!!!!
lyron
Excellent work!!!
KatesFriend
This one has a really nice realistic feel to it.
Gunglejim
Cool image and excellent work!!! Almost feels like those crystals are about to bring something to life.
Art_Ramos
Wonderful, seamless integration!