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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
Savage_dragon
My throat is all dried out now from staring at this with my mouth hanging open...
KatesFriend
Classic 50's sci-fi look with a real feel for intrepid adventure.
Osper
Nicely done!
mikeerson
GENTLE IS MY MIDDLE NAME... FIRST NAME?: NOT - LOL FIGURES LOOK IN NATURAL LIFELIKE POSES. SHIPS FLYING - TIGHT... BACKGROUND AND CITY LOOK - EXCEPTIONAL.... CRASH ON ANOTHER PLANET? PRICELESS. YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
geirla
Very well done! Keep trying new stuff, because this one is great.
choronr
A could be; can be look into the future. Your doing some great stuff Mark.
artgum
Excellent experiment Mark- it paid off. Everything looks to scale and tells a great story, like an image should. Very cool work indeed.
kftate
Superb!!! This is excellent!! Very well done.
scifibabe
I love this one! Awesome work. Very cool experiment. I really like the story you're telling here and all the great details. Excellent colors and lighting too.
Maori
Excellent work!
ppetersen
MY STARS.. or should I say your stars. This is outstanding Mark. I looked at the larger version and can't see anything anywhere that's out. You are the master at overlays, here it shows perfectly. I've that same one from you and still can't get anywhere near this. Superb work, from terrain to sky to integration of figures and fighter ships. Hmmmmmmmmmm maybe I'll send you one or two of mine to postwork LOL... :) BEAUTIFUL...
DMoulton
Mark this is just wonderful.
3dsync
Great Sci-Fi city!!
prutzworks
nice postwork Mark
lyron
Excellent work!!
Naoo
Nice SF-Scene! I like it!
Minaya
Great image, excellently done!
Alex_NIKO
Fantastic terrain.. excellent postwork!
jclP
nice scifi,& terrain
Danny_G
This is intense. 5 ++
thecytron
Great scene! Xcellent atmosphere!
royo12
Great!
bloodnok
Great piece of work
BenBischop
An Amazing Scene....!!!
Lissy
Not only great, this is excellent Mark! Another world on another planet Excellent terragen- and postwork Bravo!!
faroutsider
Very cool creation, Mark! The people work really well - my only crit is that the wreckage isn't wrecked enough...
kasalin
Excellent experiment, dear Mark !!! nice sci.-fi., terrain mood and atmosphere:) 5* Hugs Karin :)
IQ200
Gorgeous image!
fractalinda
Original (always), AWEsome and excellent!
reaver80808
Excellent image. Great sense of scale!