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.
ÂÂ
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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (21)
Danny_G
What you did here is just brilliant. Surfacing and atmo is just jaw droppin.
Savage_dragon
And it does show quite a bit of detail. Cool sun. Really nice stuff, Mark! ")
achei
a lost world ,wonderful
me109
Great integration of the PW into the TG Part. Clever idea with the fractals :) Good to see something different!
ppetersen
Some of my fav terrains are the older ones Mark... you've shown what can be done with them!!!! Excellent POV, the sky is a killer. Love that most ... surfacing is superb and shows lots and lots of detail.
Kattey
By some reason it reminds me Sauron's eye ^_^"
pclavett
Beautiful atmospherics Mark ! lovely !
BenBischop
Awesome Art....!!!
choronr
Warm and inviting; but perhaps not inhabitable - but non the less, a beautiful image.
geirla
Great scene! Very convincing terrain and sky.
scifibabe
Excellent scifi work. Love that the red giant is peeking out from behind the rocky terrain. Fabulous landscape too. Well done.
grafikeer
Excellent lighting and mood to this!Great terrain work and textures!
bloodnok
Moody and excellent
DeathTwister
Scary and beautiful work my friend, WOW sorry have not posted on peoples work or have been posting, but was very sick again for a while and getting back up on wobbly legs now /smiles..So if I miss some posts, please forgive, I'll get to them soon as I sooooo far behind and believe me I love and miss you all very much. /hugs Maylock
artgum
A superb, otherworldly scene Mark.
faroutsider
Outstanding world-building, Mark! Your fractal sky is marvelous.
X-PaX
Excellent work. Cool atmosphere and great surface work.
mikeerson
Looks like a cool journey to go on, sweet upload.
SouthBeachPhoto
Brilliant! What else can be said, or expected from you! :)
kasalin
Beautiful divine light... love it !!
KatesFriend
The giant comes across like an angry red eye. Perhaps a mythical giant that is staring down its own creation as it conspires to consume it for all time.