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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (28)
Osper
Nicely done! No clouds were needed!
choronr
The closer you get, the better it looks. The cattails are looking good too. The can be grouped tightly in a population (small spacing); and, by using the Painter shader - perhaps for another image. In all, you've done a commendable job here.
BenTheArtist
It turned out great! Love the mist.
Chaosphoto
clouds or not this is very nice
artgum
A beutiful mood- that low mist is just great. I really like it!
JPSoft
This is a beautiful artistic work (not only technical work) ... Thanks!
BlackAngel66
Beautiful!
WeeLaddie
All round excellence, Mark. Good foliage deployment, and the low-lying fog is very effective.
atlas7
This is a great landscape and a fav for me ! 5++
HorseLips
cool Markal...a very nice image...well balanced
Danny_G
Excellent Image!
Savage_dragon
Lookin' good, Mark! ")
X-PaX
Wow. Very cool work Mark. At first i thought that this was made with Vue, then i noticed it was made with terragen. Well done.
phfrancke
I like that shallow water. Almost looks like a waterfall under the bridge. Nice colors on the tower.
volcomman1
great!!!
LindaMcC
Beautiful sky and scene, Mark. I really like the composition, and you did a great job on plant placement. Love the water and low mist. Wonderful!
scifibabe
Awesome work - really great!! Beautiful job on this.
Thelby
Low fogs are nice and really set the mood in this one Mark!!!
Rich2
OK - what happened to "I'll never learn Terragen 2"? (As I applaud) Really nice work, Mark!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
lumi
beautiful render 5++
fuzzoom
Beautiful view of the tower and stream. Everything looks very realistic. Excellent scene!
faroutsider
Marvelous scene! Great lighting.
DreamersWish
Very moody scene! Love the water works and the mists. Well done!
kftate
Very beautiful and realistic image! Excellent work!!
kasalin
Looks like Vue.... fantastic, Mark
JuliaKretsch
Impressive!
azrabella
Hi Mark, sorry but this one sort of slipped me by. Beautiful composition and very well realised. You keep setting benchmarks. I'd be happy to stop here and rest on my laurels but please don't do that! This one I'll save just to remind me what can be done and what I can't do...