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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (27)
lumi
excellent! fantastic watermat!!
shayhurs
Indeed great work as always, but especially good work on the water.
Savage_dragon
I can never match your caustics or water settings. Always love your contrasts. Looks pretty good to me. Especially since you say you're in a funk. I can't make WM do anything near what you can, either. (hey, are those guys in the background flipping me off under the moon...?) Lol. The sky might like a little touch of noise, but it would lose the layered look, & that's kinda' cool, too. So, I think you did a real good job here, Mark. One note. I love the water. Its so very hard to get this color to have depth & look right. You always master this. ")
lyron
Excellent terrain and setting. Fantastic work!!
wliebtposer
great rendering
Naoo
A wonderful Dreamland!
SIGMAWORLD
WOW! Excellent landscape!
fractalinda
Love the colors and clarity. Beautiful! Cool terrain and caustics..and excellent work all the way around.
mikeerson
Super job... I like this a lot... looking at your moon, I thought of an idea for ya... put a face in it, but don't make it too obvious... and add mor light to the water so you see the white edges. YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
BenBischop
A Wonderful view...!!!!
scifibabe
It may be 'another place' but it's a place I'd love to visit. Gorgeous water - love the colors and composition of this. Wonderful terrain and lighting. Instant fav.
ppetersen
Mark this is a beauty. There is a peacefullness to this that is enhanced by the softness and beauty of the water. Its always been a draw for me in TG but never have I've achieved what you do with it. Excellent terrain, pov, sky is superb... colors and tones add to the beauty of this image.
geirla
Excellent image! The water, terrain and moons all look great.
artgum
I would happily get lost here and just admire beauty.
choronr
Love these colors and this composition.
amapitodd
Great setting.
gerberc
Breathtaking scifi landscape, love the caustics!
Danny_G
Excellent well worth the wait
bloodnok
Your use of water (or whatever it is up there!) is very cool
WeeLaddie
Another excellent distinctive other-wordly scene, though you should take care that your caustics stay under water (bottom right on that rock).
faroutsider
Your water is always literally out of this world. Magnificent render!
corleonis
Wow that water is really amazing - as usual ;) thumbs up
X-PaX
Very nice work. The water looks great.
inkydigit
until weeladdie said...I didn't notice.....I love the(rest of the) caustics!!...another class Markalien world!
SouthBeachPhoto
Beautiful can be used to describe this one! Excellent, too!
kasalin
One can really dream in watching your pics !!
stardiver
Another place. Another time. That's the beachfront view I want.