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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (25)
BenBischop
Cool ART....!!!
Alex_NIKO
Very creative work! well done!
JPSoft
This is very imaginative and original!
Rodma_Hu
Wow! Quite a diligent homage to Metropolis.
mikeerson
zoom in mark, the character's left eye follows you because it's dead center... the right eye is a little off just to make you think it is looking off into the distance.... But... It's far out to see you doing something different... even throwing some Da Vichi in there - I noticed you didn't credit one of our top artist's work in your picture - I'm really not ripping you, it just sounds like it. Hope to see more work like this in your gallery.
LBAMagic
Fantastic work
choronr
A Markoid? I think you've found a way to explore space buddy ...this is cool!
brylaz
Great composition - excellent!
faroutsider
Excellent image, Mark! Great to see you experimenting - put a large tick in the "successful" column...
lyron
Great work!!!
Biffowitz
Interesting artwork, I like it!
artgum
Awesome creation Mark!
azrabella
Simply stunning (well, not really simply...) I'll give it a 5* then!
ppetersen
LOVE IT! Amazing work Mark, and a most different use for TG. Fitting so well within the genre that is your best in my eyes. Earth tones are perfect, yet it does have that 'mother board' look. The bot is yup, can see him traveling to one of your many worlds .... Great 'stretching' from you.
Savage_dragon
When I was little, my grandmother had a pic of Jesus on wood that glowed in the dark & His eyes followed you. I was scared of Jesus for years. Lol! I think maybe the burn in on the backdrop is a bit off. It would look right if it was not on the 'buildings/components'. Then it would look like it was stained/burned from moving to open & close. Other than that, this is just amazing. You are really doing some great stuff with these overlays. I expect to see flames bursting from the feet as she takes off into space. The overlays are so clean & clear. Exceptional work, Mark! But, my friend, those eyes are creepy... ;)
stbc
Trippy, man. Keep up the creative stuff. Love it.
shingleboot
Awesome image work
bloodnok
Experimenting -- something different -- and way successful! (and I'm not going to nitpick about the Da Vinci influence -- what better way to pay homage?)
Danny_G
Truly amazing
Patrick.BalueLegault
Outstanding!
KatesFriend
Interesting change of pace. And a nice tribute to a classic of the classics in sci-fi.
kasalin
Wow.... spectacular, my friend !!!
scifibabe
I am lovin' your creativity here. You go!!! Wonderful work. Excellent textures and patterns. Keep 'em coming!
fractalinda
Creative, cool and so excellent. An awesome piece of artwork!
corleonis
Hey Mark, great to see you still doing wonderful work! I especially like this one