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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (23)
JSGraphics
Wonderful and Very Well Done! Be sure to visit my gallery!
sontaeseok
fantastic space view^^superb work^^*****
boristen
Very convincing! Well done!
JPSoft
Amazing water. The global effect is beautiful.
X-PaX
The water looks fanatstic. Well done Mark.
Savage_dragon
I just plain don't like TG2. But I like this. It looks like a big ol' snagggle tooth grin. ")
moni2000
Gigantic image of the background gandios, the water is really like*****
DeathTwister
Awesomely good
choronr
Use that 'Forum'; read, ask questions if you can't find the answer in search. The basics are there. Drop me a line and ask. I'll tell you all I know which, at this point, is info from a novice in TG2. Its fun ...really! Even if your work looks mediocre, so what! They will get better with each new project. Use some of the free things available there; or, some of FrankB's 'preset files' from NWDA ...they're very inexpensive (3 to 5 bucks). With the work you do here, you shouldn't have any trouble. You can load this terrain into TG2 and rework it for great possibilities. I've got the 'how-to' if you're interested.
WeeLaddie
I like the blueness of this. I do think that a lower horizon (max 1/3 up vertical) with such an open featureless sea would suit this scene better.
mikeerson
I sometimes get disapointed on the "render" process... the latest disapointment was a triangular prop I was trying to use as a horn... no matter how it looked before the render, it didn't look anything like it in the render. I like your picture, I wonder what effect you were expecting.
shayhurs
Nice!
KatesFriend
The various scales really brings this vista to life. The familiar colours are also effective in the realism.
Danny_G
Excellent textures on your Lunar moon, Great image as always.
SIGMAWORLD
Wonderful image!
Alex_NIKO
Beautiful world... like the colors palette.. nicely done!
BenBischop
Amazing Colors....!!
ppetersen
A gentle world Mark. All in all superb, the only striking part that detracts to me is the reddish mount... It's like a sharp note on an otherwise peaceful shore. Love the water and the softness of it, more in my eyes is always better in that respect. Your sky is perfection as is that huge planet, love that!!!
DreamersWish
I find the image quite wonderful. I love the planet in the sky and the surface of the water is amazing. Well done!
prutzworks
cool LC moon/planet
shantay
Wow! Wonderful as always!
scifibabe
So cool. Love the water effects. You really know how to produce great works - don't be so hard on yourself!
billcody
A wonderful Sci-Fi atmosphere! I like your planetscapes very much! The water is gorgeous. Looks like quicksilver!