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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (21)
Jalex
This is really striking. Know nothing about Terragen but I love this image.
peedy
Beautiful image! Great terrain. Lovely water. CORRIE
Danny_G
Really an amazing job Markal, this is just a killer TG2 image, that unmistakably was created by you ! Fav
mmax.ch
Wonderful and very creative work
shingleboot
Very beautiful image
azrabella
Ah hah! Agree with Danny G. Now you have managed to combine your old terrains with the benefit of all that TG2 can offer, I see marvellous things ahead - sorry I missed the bus, Mark.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent Terragen scene!
artgum
You've done a great job of bringing your older style scenes together with your growing TG2 skill set; love the balance of the obelisk and planets, but I really like the submerged plants too.
scifibabe
Oh this is way cool. Love the obelisk and how it's positioned against that moon. Wonderfully dramatic. Great water and terrain. Just a wonderful scene.
choronr
I like the entire composition Mark. However, you might consider restricting the image/map texture to the smaller rock slabs in the foreground. For some reason, it didn't take on a smaller scale in the distant mountains. I agree that you've done a great job importing your terrain and implemented a very good point of view here. The water lilies and the tree look great.
stier
WOW, very cool image! Great job.
inkydigit
very nice scene...a lot of good stuff going on!
lumi
beautiful landscape!
kasalin
Somehow strange this obelisk here... but nevertheless a wonderful work
faroutsider
I really like your subtle use of vegetation - the landscape is still stark, perhaps more so that there are signs of life clinging on... Excellent image.
KatesFriend
Mysterious scene.
darkness_02
super. just goes to show what you can do with a few simple things
LindaMcC
Love the tree! Great job on the stony surface and placement of objects. Cool terrain and "Obelisk"..and a fantastic scene. Impressive work, Mark!
NefariousDrO
Wow!!! These posts of yours just keep getting ever more incredible! Fantastic feeling of mystery and super realistic look.
orions_hope
Just love your perspective. Would love to do something with backgorund. Would you grant me permission to use?
Rutra
I particularly like the composition here. The water looks great.