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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (29)
mgtcs
Amazing terrain, congratulations!
MagikUnicorn
M A G N I F I C E N T MagikUnicorn's World SlideShow
Danny_G
Excellent Image
choronr
Space is beyond the limits of our imagination; you have proved that here!
KatesFriend
This one really takes my breath I must say. Exquisite.
scifibabe
Well, I can't find anything 'wrong' with it. It's really beautiful. love the planet in the sky and the fabulous terrain. Great lighting and composition. Very nice!
geirla
Beautiful depth of to the sky! I see Mars up there....
shayhurs
Spectacular job on the sky; Great render overall as usual!
ppetersen
Not sure if it's what I see (problem) but perhaps a wee bit less of the whitish rock overlay as I think it takes away from the scene. The eye is drawn to it Mark. The atmos is perfect, even a hint of rays. Excellent overall though :)
grafikeer
The shadowplay in this is incredible,and the overall scene spectacular!I like the yellowish colour palette to the atmo...if anything maybe the Mars surface should be slightly blurred,it seems a little too sharp for the rest of the scene...exceptional render!
RGUS
God I love these strange magical worlds you create!
necrophage
awesome alien landscape!
mikeerson
reminds me of a picture I saw of the earth a couple weeks ago. I wanted a copy and the image wouldn't allow it. It was taken of the US from space showing half the states in darkness with lights on.... the other half was in sunlight... coolest picture of earth I've ever seen and I couldn't get a copy - drag.
lyron
Great image!!
Naoo
Outstanding Mood!!!
WeeLaddie
Excellent tone and lighting in this scene. Perhaps the problem you're alluding to is behind and to the right of the dark tower where a bit of terrain seems blanked out and the curved edge of your world is too visible. A wee bit of post work would rectify that.
ialora
Excellant composite and combination of elements!
prutzworks
ppetersen said it!
kasalin
The light is spectacular... wonderful surface
Savage_dragon
I agree with Pat. The terrain looks a bit like almond slivers... munchies! Though, in a way, it looks kinda' cool, too. So its a matter of taste, I guess. Ooo. Now I'm hungry. ")
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent Terragen scene!
LindaMcC
Exciting original work and always so excellent.
kftate
Beautiful! Fantastic lighting and atmosphere. Excellent!!
Alex_NIKO
Excellent work... very beautiful sky!!
DreamersWish
I can not see anything wrong with it personally. Lovely and mysterious place. I love the texture of the terrain. It made me think of (I am sorry to say) oatmeal cookie dough. Fabulous work!
X-PaX
Excellent work Mark.
Rich2
Eh - no one is perfect all the time. I could never fathom overlays to even attempt it in old TG. Wait till you try stuff like this in TG2...
marzo
All I can say is that if I'd created this stunning image, I'd be very pleased with myself! Very well done.
wotan
Good composition...