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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
roni190
One word..... WOW!
DeathTwister
Oh yaya more great stuff with worlds without end /smiles....Ya I'll get ya some more Topo maps for ya here soon brother, my pleasure.
E.Houser
Stunning!!! Great work!
IQ200
Superb!
Danny_G
Great image
Fidelity2
Perfect. 5+!!!
geirla
Very nice! Love the moons, and the statue head adds a bit of mystery.
X-PaX
Excellent work Mark. I like the mystical statue head. Well done.
tulipe
Wonderful landscape!
RetroDevil
very cool, the face in the water is spooky.. i thought it was one of those illusions you see in rocks and clouds etc. hehe :D well done
Savage_dragon
The structures look very 'woody'. Almost organic. Very cool, Mark! ")
NetWorthy
Very, very nice, almost photo realism! I love the expert treatment in all areas, especially the sky and the water effects. Brilliant effort!
mikeerson
Nice to see you getting a little wild and putting heads in you water - cool.... an alien Mt. Rushmore would be wild - ding, ding, ding, ding, ding...
grafikeer
Excellent water reflections and lighting,great landscape!
Chaosphoto
OK, you have done it again. Another one I love
choronr
That's Artie Faks, I'd know that face anywhere! If you think you've had fun creating this one, wait till you get into TG2! Nice one Mark!
scifibabe
Very lovely terrain. Most unique rock formations. Love the colors in this too. Cool planet.
artgum
Ah, revealing some secrets from the past? Well done.
ppetersen
Love the ghostly face in the water Mark. You're gonna have to hint at how you did it... POV and terrain are superb, and as always love your surfacing and skywork... excellent render!!!!
gerberc
Awesome, the statue in the water is an excellent idea!
bloodnok
As usual, a stunning sci-fi image
Minaya
Great terrain, superb work!
BenBischop
Awesome, like the head.....!!
KatesFriend
Beautiful.
fractalinda
Wow. Awesome! Spooky, beautiful and so excellent!
corleonis
Amazing water, love the face!
faroutsider
Another beauty, Mark!