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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.
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Comments (33)
frogster
Nicely done
choronr
Hey man, you got my e-mail address and phone number - we could talk. I'd be glad to share files with you. Yes, TG2 will make an old TG Classic user feel like he /she is going back to square one. That's ok; the more you use it, the better you get. Use that Planetside forum; and, get some preset files from NWDA. These facilities will get you on your way. Just look at my stuff; they're still not of the quality of what I used to do with TG Classic; but, with TG 2, you will achieve more realism ...it takes time and practice. Don't expect to turn out a picture every other day - no, with TG2, your image turns into a project that will become very interesting. I would say you'll be very satisfied with it after awhile. Now for your picture; you added a LunerCell moon. I hope you know you can add a TG2 moon by adding a planet (uncheck the atmosphere for the planet). Now play with the displacement setting to get some surface features; change it's color if you like. In all Mark, I think you did a fine job on this.
5391151
Very cool
shayhurs
Nice work! I've been looking for the edge, but haven't jumped into the app yet for that very reason... (GRIN)
Savage_dragon
Wow. OK. I like this. Hate TG2... but I like this. If you can do this just to start with, I can't wait to see what you're gonna' be doin' in a couple of months form now. Very nice, Mark. Glad to see you trying something new, finally. Even if it is another form of TG. However alien. xo ")
joaq
Superb work!Fantastic terrain and great colors!!!
jclP
excellent
WeeLaddie
Nice one, Mark. Glad you've persevered. The Twist and Sheer shader is one of the first features we TG2'ers explore (play with). I like the fresh colour scheme in this render.
Coppens
Good work here! Persevere!
Mondwin
Really a fantastic picture...bravissimo!V:DDD.Hugsxx Whylma
bugatti
how I simpathize with anyboddy trying to learn a new software! Good job
Danny_G
Mark is is really well done. At first glance I thought it was one of your TG 9 pieces. Thats a good thing because you own TG 9. This is a killer image. Your definitely going to make TG2 sing with a first image like this, can't wait
artgum
In facing a new challenge, people often get worked up to "fight" it into submission. Just relax- take lots of time to explore and experiment repeatedly, without expecting anything- just mess with it, like everyone is saying. As Choronr said, the planets in TG2 certainly negate the need for Lunarcell. You're on your way Mark! I think this is superior to my first image with TG2.
MagikUnicorn
REALLY AWESOME DUDE N.A.S.A. TV
BenBischop
Beautiful.....
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
NefariousDrO
Wow, it's surprising to hear you talk about the struggles, because the work you've been doing with it has been so consistently breath-taking I've always considered you quite a master. Just goes to show how much it's a matter of, well, perspective (sorry, it's a bit of a pun on your subject this time, didn't mean to do that, though...) All of that said, this terrain is impressive, and the texture of the ground is fantastic. I like the high-angle view, I feel like it's a view from a vehicle approaching orbit. Can't really help you with Terragen, alas, as I'm mostly a Bryce and Photoshop user, alas.
psyoshida
I think this is gorgeous. I love the colors, textures and shapes. Excellent.
scifibabe
Excellent terrain. Love the concept here. I'm amazed at the struggles you're having with the newer program. Obviously not for novices! A great pic though.
mikeerson
be kind??? sometimes oops's look sweet... you got a sweet oops here... now, learn how you tweeked it, so you can use it the way you want.... sorry, I can't help you with your program - I use poser.
LindaMcC
Fantastic scene! Excellent terrain work, Mark!
azrabella
You're a braver man than me, Gunga Din.
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark. I'm looking forward to see more TG2 work from you but if that what you've described is true i could imagine that you will move back to the classic terragen version ;)
ppetersen
wow...Am impressed here Mark. If you had seen my first one in TG you would have laughed yourself silly. This is outstanding in my eyes and quite a different take on TG2. Love the blues again gives it a colder feel. The only thing that jars the eye for me is the low haze, it's too red for me but that's me. Otherwise superb effort on your part...
faroutsider
A tradeMarkal image - fantastic first effort in TG2. The TG2 interface is VERY different from TG1, but well worth the effort. Take a look at seth93's gallery for a masterclass in TG2 - best I've seen so far on RR. I see no reason why you shouldn't get there, with a bit of perseverance...
Alex_NIKO
Wonderful work! Great formations
Mandrake7062
Looks great to me, only thing I might try is dial down the brilliant white thru middle right, snow, ice, clouds? Only thing you might work on. I like it!!
London224
Really Like your image!!
seth93
hey good start :) you can contact me to seth93@wanadoo.fr if you want to ask me some questions (I'll try to help to get through basic stuff) and i don't know if you come to the Planetside forum but it is the best place to learn ;)
DreamersWish
Whatever problems you have or had with the program do not show up in this image. Amazing terrain and view!