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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (31)
nosawayne
Stunning!
mikeerson
cool image... You rarely add "life" to your planets... it is a super addition to this water scene. YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
choronr
I like it colors, light and 'fish thing'. TG2 is in your future.
Savage_dragon
The water looks so gorgeous & inviting. Like an invitation to dinner... Likin' this one, Mark! ")
Kattey
breathless
Chaosphoto
Absolutely gorgeous Mark. Very saleable as well hint hint lol
geirla
Or moon thing? Very nice! The lighting of the sky gives it great depth, almost like its under water too.
ppetersen
Your blue atmos are superb Mark, deep and rich in tone and color. This is excellent and the 'fish' thing is just what is needed to umph it a bit. Of course the terrain is one of my favs of yours... it adds to the otherworld look always...
lyron
Fantastic scene!!
thefixer
Stunning landscape, really beautiful!
Darkglass
Wicked scene very creative work well executed!!
armoric56
beautiful work!
prutzworks
seeing that fish thing I must think of the Kragen from Jack Vance novel 'Blue World' Cool sci-fi render Mark
Naoo
WOW amazing!!!
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark. The water looks fantastic and I also like the fish (i hope he/she is not alone on that planet ;)).
azrabella
This world of yours is starting to become quite familiar, however, "fish-thing" is a bold innovation. Only thing, It seems (at least to me) to confuse the scale of the landscape - one moment it looks huge, then... But I love it, man.
me109
One of your best images with this kind of terrain! Surface, POV and light are perfect, as is the water. I am not so sure about the fish thing either. Why don't you try to create a new spectacular kind of terrain? (You wanted critics :) )
Dotthy
excellent terrain and whole scene, I like a lot the water. Stunning work!!!!!!!!
SIGMAWORLD
Awesome. Excellent work.
BenBischop
Beautiful....!!!
artgum
An "out of this world" aquarium!
DeathTwister
Awesome, and love the critter.
inkydigit
reminds me of a trippy lake mono kind of place...awesome stuff!...5*
voske
A wonderful landscape,gorgeous water,excellent work!!!
KatesFriend
I like how you added some aquatic life in this scene.
scifibabe
Ooo, love the manta ray thingie under the water. Very creative space scene. Wonderful colors and textures. Outstanding work.
Lissy
Super terrain, rays, surface and postwork I like life in the water ... bravo
kasalin
Just beautiful !!!!!
Danny_G
Love the terrian, The whole piece is really great 5 ++
kftate
Gorgeous!! Wonderful details and atmosphere. Excellent work!!