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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (25)
Savage_dragon
Scrumtious grasses & yummy liquids. Sweet! I'm hungry... ")
mikeerson
I would love you to post side by side your before and after images... or, you could post links to the other image(s)... what about going further and doing snow, frozen, drought??? Image looks great, would love to see what else you can do with Before & After... Life growing? Destruction? would be an awesome series to add to your gallery.
DreamersWish
I like the idea of this series! This one is more vibrant and full of life. I love the waters on this one. Well done!
E.Houser
Fascinating landscape!
Kattey
Very, very nice. I hadn't expect such a beauty of a picture :)
Danny_G
Excellence
geirla
Well done! Makes me wonder what disaster caused the "after" image.
KatesFriend
A very welcoming vista. One might think of this place as home.
choronr
When things were good. Yes, you've accentuated the terrain beautifully. I like this one a lot.
stukes
Wonderful composition!!
phil01
excellent
boristen
Reminds me so vividly of Terragen classic days! Nice memories! And this is excellent result!
carlx
Wonderful vista!!!
A.C.Wolfe
Fantastic scene and materials
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent!
Speech
Sweet image, I could get lost there.
Merlin_Studios
Very nice render.
artgum
Wish I could have this view in real life.
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark. The surface looks great. This is very beautiful place. Maybe it would be also interesting to see this image with and without texture layers.
Naoo
Nice Colors!
BenBischop
Beautiful....!!!!
NefariousDrO
Wow, I don't know how you do it, but this is incredible! I am so impressed at the water, the lush rich green, it's magical.
ppetersen
Now this is a treat Mark. Not only are the grasses a beauty, but your stone work looks soooooooooooooo natural. Yes indeed here it surely does. Even the close up on the far right. Love the mood and this is something I think you should do more often. Your 'spacey' scapes with grasses :) BTW, the clouds covering the moons/planets are outstanding...
scifibabe
Wow - I really like this one. Still not so sure about the double planets but the wonderful landscape and colors really makes this work!
phfrancke
The wonderful colors draw you right in. I like that the planets are where they are, they help complete the picture in my opinion, but I think that having two of them like that adds a stress that doesn't work here. One planet would have been better. But believe me, that is just opinion!! Very nice.