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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (33)
mmax.ch
Utterly fantastic landscape and light
IO4
Wonderful landscape, beautifully done.
PapaSkip
Very nice looking landscape! Well done!
Danny_G
Nicely done Mark
choronr
You've got it done very nicely Mark. Looks like you are on a roll. Keep 'em coming!
Savage_dragon
Nice one. No, you go ahead. I'll just sit back n' watch. ;)
artgum
Yeah! Now your talkin' Mark. You're gonna be killing with TG2 in no time.
psyoshida
This is fantastic! Beautiful work. I love the water, great touch to a beautiful picture.
LindaMcC
Wow, Mark, you've got TG2 down. Realistic and beautiful. Excellent water, mud and rock work. Love the foreground. Very impressive!
mikeerson
Rocks were a nice touch.
geirla
Nice! You've got to admit, TG2 is very realistic.
ppetersen
OMG this is superb work Mark. There is such a variety of colors where the water meets the land. It gives a feel of drying water bed. Beautiful work and well done. From the stones to the cliffs. Love it. And your signature moon!!!! Now you're cooking.
WeeLaddie
Nice one, Mark. See how close up and dirty you can get with TG2, great muddy shallows, you've even got the moon reflected there. You may be surprised to know that adding a planet is something I haven't tried yet. So you are well on your way. Onwards and upwards.
A_Joker_B
Great render Mark!
X-PaX
Very nice teamwork. The result looks great.
arlivre
Fantastic work, congratulations !
jarmila
very nice
kasalin
Like the low water region most .... a dream
MagikUnicorn
Thats Awesome!
lumi
fantastic textures!
Thelby
Yep, you getting somewhere now dude, not like them FB teams down there in Miss. ;^D JK, LOL!!!!!
SIGMAWORLD
Wonderful Terragen scene!
bloodnok
Love it !!
BenBischop
Cool Scene...!!
seth93
did you add the fake stones to the terrain or to the shaders ?
pclavett
Absolutely lovely Mark ! Now you have to get the full version !!!
scifibabe
So realistic. Like a photo. Fabulous terrain. Love the muddiness to this. Great sky and planet.
billcody
Awesome! Looks very, very realistic! I cannot believe my eyes...
wild_child
Excellent work!
prutzworks
xlt teamwork