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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
starfire777
Excellent Terragen world and surfacing!!!
artgum
Nice surface textures and rocks. The cloudy mist adds a great touch to the atmo.
mikeerson
I was just daydreaming at your picture and was thinking most if not all your planets show an atmosphere... With Earth having water - and wicked atmospheres to go from that's a nice image to recreate.... but most planets don't have what we have - in 2010 I challenge you to DREAM of what planets far away may have... while thinking these thoughts, I thought of floating debre that could be the last of the water - sheets of thin ice just hovering like clouds.... fire would also be a great image to show floating around like clouds... Just some encouraging toughts. and I did, like always, love your picture.
scifibabe
Excellent space scene. Fabulous composition. Love the smoky effects - mist - in the background on the planet's surface. Great work.
choronr
You're in the groove with your Space art creations ...nice one Mark.
shayhurs
nice!
Treasurer_and_Battle
My favorite planet! Good job.
egehlin
Very nice...I'm especially impressed with the terrain materials. The planet is also very well done. Bravo!!!
psyoshida
Really nice. The terrains are wonderful the one on the left looks like a natural amphitheater. Wonderful textures and the lighting is superb.
0rest4wicked
Very nice ambience achieved by your stellar lighting!!
DarkStormCrow
Excellent, very well done...
Danny_G
Great space scene
Chaosphoto
Sweet !! You are getting better and better :)
peedy
Way cool image! Corrie
SIGMAWORLD
Very nice image!
lumi
Very nice render!
bloodnok
Splendid!
X-PaX
Very nice space scene.
kftate
Very cool image! Beautiful work!!
LindaMcC
Lovely starry sky. Love the mist and mood! Cool terrain and rocks. Nice work, Mark.
glix70
Beautiful stone texture!!! Great landscape!!! :)
KatesFriend
Beautiful but distinctly alien. Very nice.
sheranncria
very nice :)
kasalin
A great mood, terrain, surface and rocks. Excellent, Mark !!!!!!!!!! 5***** Hugs Karin :)