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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (30)
lyron
Excellent work!!
kftate
Very cool image! Well done!!
mikeerson
cool image. Maybe in a thousand years the great wall of china will look like this.
ppetersen
WOW... wonderfully done Mark. Now where does that road lead :) Beautifully concept, excellently executed.
shayhurs
Excellent POV! Is the ramp shadowing off? It seems to me the ramp should be lit since you have shadowing to either side.
scifibabe
Very cool effect. Nicely done. Great sandy feel to the atmospher. Really creative work.
blankfrancine
Fantastic otherworldly scene.
aguirre
Oooh...great - a mysterious story, yet untold. Impressive use of TG.
ialora
Excellent work on theat ancient looking road.
artgum
A beautiful example of well-executed overlay work. It's an ancient launch ramp to that near planet!
DreamersWish
I like this very much! Fantastic looking road. Well done!
Kattey
You never cease to make wonders :)
Coppens
Excellent piece of work! Really like those ancient crumbling rocks!
fractalinda
Fantastic scene and an excellent composition! Love the atmosphere, POV and overlay work.
Naoo
cool
DMoulton
Oh wow ! I love the way this one turned out.Excellent.
Domi48
Well done!
stbc
Now that's a cool idea! Nice one. Oh, I love the big sun and cloudwork, too.
thecytron
AmaZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzing landscaping! Great rendering work!
choronr
Interesting title and composition making one wonder what was its purpose. Great imaginative creativity.
BenBischop
Woooo Super Cool....!!!
faroutsider
Great concept and render. How fast do you have to run to take off?
Lissy
Perfect atmo, I love the clouds ... Super postwork, terrain and surface I'll take a space ship and start over the ramp to the moon ;)
KatesFriend
One wonders about the civilization that built this road so long ago.
crag_dolomite
great result, love the brick work
Danny_G
absolutely Mind Blowing.
X-PaX
Awesome work Mark.
voske
Cool!! love the sky too,wonderful and excellent work!!!
mambo
excellent Awesome ***** always picture
kasalin
Is it from the new Star-Trek ? Great concept and render, dear Mark :) 5*