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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (34)
ppetersen
Honest:) Thats' a wicked terrain. Superbly done. POV, surfacing (as per your usual-- outstanding) And dang do I love that planet!!!! Fits perfectly in this scene.
Sylvia
~Pure Magic~ Love it... ART WITH HEART!!!
gerberc
Awesome, love the planet and ring!
mikeerson
Thanks only to honest comments? Are you talk'n to me??? Yeah, Are you talk'n to me? ...ok.... I broke your rule... only honest... but I have been honest... Now I'm confused... do you want a comment or not? ... Honest ones.... I have always been honest, so I guess I'm safe... now, what was I going to say??? Oh, yeah, It honestly looks like you were listening to pink floyd when you were creating this - BECAUSE - the dark side of the moon is actually on the dark side of this planet... HONESTLY... I would tell you I really like this, but, you wouldn't think I was honest. Honest.
jrmalone
Spectacular! Great work!!!
shayhurs
Great job as you always do!
Savage_dragon
I searched & searched for something to be honest about. OK, I found a tiny one... part of the planet is in front of the terrain. But its a gorgeous planet! Really. I love the terrain. The surface reminds me a bit of hay dusted with acidic dirt. I like that. The star looks like a craft. Really excellent work, Mark! ")
Keymilan
Fantastic work, great colors !
Naoo
Very nice! Cool Terrain!
lyron
Great work!!
fractalinda
WOW, exciting stuff! Spectacular scene and outstanding work!
Darkglass
Very impressive scene class work!!
Killebrew
Absolutely gorgeous!
artgum
Excellent scale and application of surfacing- perfect balance and flow to all the objects in the scene. I see what Savage dragon was refering to. A beautiful scene!
Alex_NIKO
Cool! great detail!
SIGMAWORLD
Awesome! Great image!
thecytron
AmaZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzing landscaping! Great rendering work! Stunning colors!
X-PaX
Holly Molly that is fantastic Mark.
IQ200
Awesome image!
Lightpen
It looks so 3 demensional with your choice of rock formations and the Lighting is a great help. Lightpen
BenBischop
the rings are Amazing, Great Art....!!
me109
Great Terrain! I like the little asteriods in the rings and the small red/brown sheppard moon on the outer ring. Nice Detail! The planet itself looks a bit flat imho! BTW, this terrain cries for some ice on it :)
amapitodd
Great imagery.
Chaosphoto
simply awesome !!!!
Rich2
Sorry to inform you Mark, that you are not allowed to make a mistake. Please read carefully our TOS... Heck - warts and all, I applaud your effort. I dont have the time, patience or talent to even try this. Try and try again until it pleases no one but you!
scifibabe
Actually this is terrific work, small mistake and all. It looks wonderful and I really love the terrain and the moon and the rings. Really creative and cool. I gotta fav this!
choronr
My only crit would be the closeness of the planet. Yes, such things exist out there; but, I'm letting my taste get in the way here. Contrasts and light dominate here.
Danny_G
Another amazing addition to your gallery !!!
prutzworks
old PF's always inpiring, cool postwork Mark
Lissy
I only see the same mistake Angel told you, nothing else I like this new scifi scene, fantastic work!