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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
DarkStormCrow
Excellent image, well done...
mikeerson
looks like an area I like to Hike... I hope there's no bears = lol... great render/ upload / pov.
faroutsider
Great render, Mark. I'm sure I have been hiking there (no bears, just medium-sized cats and snakes to worry about...) Seasons greetings and everything of the best for the New Year.
paulbosse
Very nice rocks formations !
bloodnok
Splendid work Mark, apart from the two moons it's photo-realistic!
Savage_dragon
Neat! ")
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark. Well done.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent.
grafikeer
Nice work my friend,,,love the low POV and the terrain textures.The planets above add an otherworldly feel to a familiar landscape setting.All the best of the season to you and yours!
peedy
Beautiful image! Great terrain and lighting. Corrie
Rich2
Saw this on the Planetside forum & wondered if you'd posted here - and glad you did! Nice work with the canyon file: it's one of my faves, although I found the strata a bit extreme for my tastes. You can try tacking on a displaced-voronoi-cracks to sort of break up the severity of the layers. Maybe, but what do I know? I barely have a handle on TG2 myself!
JPSoft
The result is beautiful ...Thanks!
starfire777
Excellent realistic looking terrain!!!
Maori
Superb work, Mark!!
Plantagenaut
Looking good!
moat
Beautiful work! Unlike many mountain scenes, this has something sweet and kind.
Thelby
You got a winner here Mark!!!
azrabella
Getting good, Mark
bebopdlx
Another outstanding work.
LindaMcC
The sweet plants and sky lend some enchantment. Wonderful composition and excellent work, Mark.
choronr
Mark, have a look on the forum of a post made by 'littlecannon' to see his stratified terrain structure. He never finished his work; but, looks worthy of pursuing. You're on the right track here to developing a great terrain. What you've done so far looks real promising.
KadyJJ
Fantastic strata on those cliffs!
artgum
Gorgeous man! Perfect POV for this.
mac8
You're inspiring me to give TG2 a shot, cool render.
kasalin
A wonderful creation and an excellent artwork and render, dear Mark !!! Hugs Karin:)
Danny_G
A Big WOW Mark. This is truely an amazing image. Your best so far, by far. Now it begins ! Keep them coming
brunopita
The terrain is really impressive.
phfrancke
love that overhang and rocks - great terrain, pov, and coloring. Winner all around - and btw, Merry Christmas!!
prutzworks
cool pov and overhangs
Rutra
Excellent work. Love the colors and contrasts. The sun works great too. I like the grass in the foreground.