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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (24)
mikeerson
I think it's brilliant... where have I heard that before? LOL before and after pictures, season changing pictures... they're all good... go for it.
geirla
Sounds like a great idea to me. Nice image, BTW.
DarkStormCrow
Excellent!
mnmpm
Yea I think go for it, this is a very cool image!!
shayhurs
COOL idea; "Make it so" (GRIN)
necrophage
great landscape!
Savage_dragon
Sounds like a good idea to me. This terrain makes me want to choke down a glass of water. Nicely done. I like the nested moons. ")
BlackAngel66
Wonderful landscape!
dlund
Yes, a very good idea.
prutzworks
rays look almost like aurora
5391151
cool terragen work
thecytron
Great render!
Kattey
I think it is a very good idea :) And I like that picture a lot.
Danny_G
Great mattes planets and lighting. Love it
X-PaX
Your idea sounds very good to me Mark. Very nice terrain and cool atmosphere. Well done.
choronr
What came first, the chicken or the egg? Would be nice to see some greenery and life - however, you've achieved another goody here!
BenBischop
Beautful Scene...!!
artgum
Great terrain and atmosphere.
NefariousDrO
I like the idea, this is a fascinating terrain, it'll be interesting to see what you do with it, next!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
Alex_NIKO
Beautful atmo... agree with Martin!
DreamersWish
It seems lonely and desolate, but incredible atmosphere! Wonderful work!
ppetersen
Can't wait to see the before Mark, this is beautiful. Love the double planets/moons. The sky is superb with those rays pouring forth. Your surfacing is excellent and the strata is so right here. Love it.
scifibabe
Very cool terrain. Wonderful lighting. Not so sure about the double planets but it's very nice nonetheless.