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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.Â
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 (33)
arcas
Placid and otherworldly. The foreground rocks came out great.
shayhurs
Excellent as always!
mikeerson
looks like a nice planet to take a swim on a hot day like today.
geirla
Very nice! Love the shore line.
Savage_dragon
Cool work, Mark. Great pov. The shoreline is really nice! ")
Seaview123
Good looking Terregen scene! Nice work!
azrabella
Thanks as well. Love the colours - love the view. 5*
choronr
This is the kind of shore one has in mind to produce; not easy; but, when you achieve it, it is a joy. The only crit I have here is that the one planet (the larger one), would have been enough for a beautifully balanced image. However, we all have our tastes; and, you are entitled to yours.
Naoo
-- cool --
BlackAngel66
Wonderful image!
Minaya
So great terrain, beautiful the water and the sky! Well done.
WeeLaddie
Yeh, it's not easy to get the overlay placement / camera placement so right. One of the best depictions of boulders using the overlay method I've come across using Terragen 0.9xx. Excellent work, Mark
Danny_G Online Now!
Great surfaces, excellent scene
Porthos
Brilliant work!
NefariousDrO
I do love these fascinating and even somewhat mysterious landscapes of yours. I've really got to catch back up with your gallery!
scifibabe
Just fabulous. Wonderful shoreline. Beautiful water and colors. Great work!
Alex_NIKO
Excellent landscape... nicely done!!!
JPSoft
(Splendid)³ ... Thanks!
Kindredsoul
is it something I can step in? Very realistic rocky scene.
Rich2
I haven't commented lately on a Markal posting - and it's about time! The rocks gotta be an overlay, or you did a nice song and dance with some postwork. Either way, nicely done!
pclavett
Perfect as usual Mark !
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark. I like the stones in the water and on the beach. Well done.
kasalin
The foreground is outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
artgum
Perfect POV for this; it draws me to the horizon and makes me long to see what wonders are beyond. Great scene Mark!
ledwolorz
Beautiful landscape.
edhoover
This one makes you feel like you're actually there looking at it. :)
BenBischop
An Awesome View....!!!
faroutsider
Nobody does desolate alien landscapes quite like you... Excellent!
RGUS
Shit.. that's just bloody AWESOME!
ppetersen
Keep em coming like this mark and you'll have me pea green with envy. foreground is amazing.... back part is outstanding. Just sheer beauty. More real, almost as if a planet somewhere is so close to ours it's inhabitable.