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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
MagikUnicorn
Awesome Terragen Art my friend!!! You are the Terragen Master :)
mgtcs
Amazing landscape! Congratulations.
Danny_G
Markal this is jaw droppin !!
grafikeer
Very cool,er,hot!!Excellent terrains,lighting and effects...well done my friend!
Savage_dragon
Cool terrain. The moon is killer & I love the lava. Nice one, Mark! ")
geirla
Very nice! Love the lava
choronr
Happy Fathers' Day Mark ...waiting for your TG2 entry.
dbrv6
Fantastic atmosphere and terrain!
pclavett
Love the colors and atmo Mark ! Excellent postwork my friend ! Take Care !
cowdog
Excellent.
faroutsider
Superb work on the lava, terrain and atmo, Mark. Personally, I wouldn't place the major moon so centrally in the frame, but that's a very minor crit...
bloodnok
As usual a visually stunning image
lyron
Great image!!
RetroDevil
awesoem landscape.. very welldone
azrabella
Hot stuff indeed, mate! Outstanding render as always - though I would like to see your worlds from (sort of) ground perspective, occasionally - go on, do one for me... as it is I can only give a 5*
me109
This is hot indeed! Excellent Surface and glow combination. This is honestly :) the best lava i have seen with TG! To make a sharp border wtih water is a very celver idea!
scifibabe
Way cool planet - love that lava effect. Nice terrain and atmosphere too.
inkydigit
damn fine work!!....
artgum
Excellent surface and texture work Mark- I like that moon too!
mikeerson
this is going right into my faves... would love to see you play with more planets like this... redder lava, steam... some white ash here and there... theres more fun in these images luking around the corner... a lava water fall??? YOU HAVE BEEN FAVORITIZED!!!
X-PaX
Excellent work Mark.
BenBischop
Super Scene....!!!
ppetersen
Wowsers Mark I love this. The lava is superb, as is the overlay that appears to be cracks with more lava coming through. (It's the details that I always see first LOL) POV and terrain are superb, surfacing, bows to you cause you know I love all your surfaces. Atmosphere is great... I really like this, especially the colors!!!
corleonis
Phenomenal surfacing, really i'm amazed. I think the fog (lava?) is a little too sharp-edged in spots, but thats pretty minor compared to the rest of it. Great job!!
kasalin
Yes, that's real hot stuff
shantay
Great texturing, excellent foreground!
Rutra
The rock walls on the right are probably too smooth but other than that, this is a great piece.