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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
Conniekat8
Very mesmerising :)
choronr
The space launch was postponed and waiting for you; whats the delay? A sharp, clear and high quality render here
mikeerson
Makes me wonder if aliens were living on this rock you made here if they'd make a think like mt. rushmore - alien heads on the cliffsides would be wild.... This is a wild alien world.
phil01
Beautiful landscape*** and excellent work
lumi
fantastic POV, great textures!
BlackAngel66
Wonderful landscape! great render!
Savage_dragon
The last time I made a skinny formation like that, you told me how to thicken it up. Lol! I must admit, mine did look like a mistake. These do not. & I can't make them in WM, dangit! I must try harder. Very cool. ")
Minaya
Great work, fantastic terrain! Excellently done!
lyron
Excellent work!!
X-PaX
Excellent work Mark. Very nice starta overlay and I also like the fog. Well done.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent Terragen scene!
Alex_NIKO
I like this low white fog.. beautiful planetscape!
artgum
So that's where they store it? Excellent render Mark!
ppetersen
Terrain and surfacing as always has your stamp on it Mark. Love what you do when you do this. POV and that fog are superb. And I know you're gonna say she's half baked but I'd love to see this with a more earthy sky. Not sure if this one's doing it for me... but then you know me LOL... Love the overall look on it. Your starfield is tops too here, nothing to take the eye from the terrain.
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous Terragen !!
scifibabe
Awesome world. Love the snowy landscape. Great terrain and cool atmosphere. Nice planet!
Lissy
Super atmo and clouds, the moon, surface and terrain too ... bravo!
Danny_G
strata and surfacing add to an incredible piece
Chaosphoto
Love it, I want to go there :)
BenBischop
Great Stuff....!!!
photostar
Amazing imagery and ATMOS.
faroutsider
ANother M-class planet with insufficient water to support habitation... Beautifully put together, Mark.
KatesFriend
Very nice work.
kasalin
Another "hit" of you """"""""""""""""""""""
kftate Online Now!
Beautiful! Superb work!!