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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (35)
DanteDAnthony
Very catching detail in the swirling atmosphere...
DarkStormCrow
Excellent planetscape, well done...
rocserum
excellent work! RS
choronr
I like your use of multiple light sources here.
grafikeer
Nice textures on distant planet,great light and water reflections..excellent work as always!
Savage_dragon
Very nice. Thought it seems I've seen a very similar one by you not that very long ago. I thought this might have been an update. Love the addition of the moon. ")
Tholian
Nicely done.
me109
Well Mark, you are welcome! Excellent image, that you have done here! Thanks for putting my moon to such a good use :)
Dreamingbee
amazing work !
kasalin
Wow.... how do you do these overwhelming landscapes ????????????? Fabulous and outstanding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent!
DreamersWish
Love it! Fabulous work!
NylaRossini
I could stare at this for ages! Fantastic scene;)
Danny_G
Great image, Very inspiring
geoegress
nice :)
scifibabe
Oh now this is cool. Love the planet. Fabulous landscape for the closeup work. Great lighting and colors. Nice!
NefariousDrO
You've really out-done yourself this time, this must absolutely be seen at full size to fully appreciate it. Wow.
KatesFriend
Very nice.
geirla
Wow. a striking scene with that moon. I really like that nearly transparent water.
artgum
Beautiful lighting and great planet!
neo_primal
cool
bloodnok
Great work
Alex_NIKO
Excellent work!
shingleboot
Awesome image, great work
LindaMcC
Fantastic scene and excellent work in every respect.
mikeerson
fantastic lighting in your peaks... I like the swirl look.
Planetscape
You put a lot of effort in this image! Awesome!
X-PaX
Very nice image Mark. The added moon looks very nice and is a good addition to your nice terrain. Well done.
prutzworks
that moon is a killer!
BenBischop
Wonderful view....!!!