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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (24)
preeder
Nice. Very, very nice.
bloodnok
Captures the mood superbly!
shayhurs
Great render!
choronr
You've come through the set up of this image beautifully - looks like Ryan's set up in his Golden Forest. I can see you've spent many hours and consternations getting there; but, it was worth it Mark; and, in such a short time. You are doing well! The low ground cover has reflectivity (or luminosity) set a bit high. I would back off of the setting a bit.
azrabella
Yup! as Bob says... niw if you can only control the grain. I always look forward to your images, Mark so keep 'em coming.
peedy
Lovely image. Gorgeous lighting. Love the background. Corrie
shingleboot
Very pretty image
lumi
very nice render!
prutzworks
great scene and brilliant lighting
Danny_G
Tis is really well done Mark, well balanced scene.
artgum
You're making some grand scenes Mark- you'll be a TG2 pro in no time.
psyoshida
Beautiful. The lighting is delightful.
LindaMcC
Wonderful lighting, atmosphere and resulting depth. Love the foilage and your placement of each plant/tree is superb. Beautiful, excellent work!
smiles95
Very nice. With a higher render setting this would be phenomenal. Unfortunately TG2 doesn't handle out of memory errors very gracefully yet :(.
phfrancke
love the autumn tree and the light coming through it and the grey background behind. This is a real nice and strong image. We need a 64 bit TG2!!
kasalin
Looks so real..... beautiful November mood here, Mark !!!
faroutsider
Excellent image, Mark. I particularly like the atmosphere - the graininess adds to the mood, IMO.
X-PaX
Nice work Mark. Well done.
Rich2
You're a braver man than I for trying something like this. But you also have come farther than I with using populations. Keep at it!
Coppens
Marvelous woods scene! Fine TG2 work!
shantay
Beautiful light!
NefariousDrO
That light is truly magical, you've really done a fantastic job on this!
DreamersWish
Lovely work! A very warm and wonderful looking private place. Well done!
KatesFriend
Excellent realism.