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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
sontaeseok
fantastic work here^^***
Rich2
Good work with the object placements, Mark. I'm sure it's either a very low cloud or heavy haze: there's a way to reduce the graininess (# of samples?)and add displacement to the tree trunks - but what do I know? A very good start on this project!
Danny_G
I like the grainy atmo, reminds me of a Horselips type atmosphere. It has that haunting type feeling. Excellent image IMHO !
shayhurs
Nice render as always!
LindaMcC
Oh I love it! Dreamy and beautiful and really well done!
artgum
This is cool! You can easily import .obj models (perhaps there's a headless horseman out there) for this scene. I like the atmosphere a lot.
Savage_dragon
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... wake up the trees. Lol. Coll render, Mark. ")
SIGMAWORLD
Very nice image!
phfrancke
A lot to like - I especially like the colors on the surface of the tree trunk.
choronr
Great work setting the trees (single objects or population?). And, you've created the appropriate mood here.
WeeLaddie
I've seen a few renders using Walli's misshapen old pine over at Planetside forums, but this one tops the lot in my book. It's got a suitably claustrophobic atmosphere, and I like the clumpy-grained fog, which adds the right texture to the overall scene. This is good.
scifibabe
Wow - this is Terregen? Impressive. Love your wild trees and grassy landscape. Great atmosphere and mood.
Plantagenaut
Cool!!!! Album cover time!!!!
psyoshida
Beautiful scene, I love the trees and the moon! It's not scary at all.
azrabella
Another jump in skill/technique - I'm looking forward to seeing your ability develop. This, of course, is where I want to be. Thanks Mark.
lumi
fantastic atmo! very nice render!
Imaginatos
LOVELY scene ! :)
mikeerson
I'll be watching for the headless horseman.... background so far looks cool, a little eerier if the horsman is to star in it.... darker maybe.
X-PaX
Cool work Mark. Well done.
Blitzz-Licht
very good composed...superb
DreamersWish
Groovy looking trees and most moody and unsettling place to be! Well done!
faroutsider
Creepy but cool!
NefariousDrO
That sure is cool!