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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (25)
masonspappy
Love the barren landscape!
choronr
It is a great shame that BO canceled the project for putting another team on the moon ...what a stupid ides! But then, this administration seems to be manufacturing stupid ideas at a regular pace. Enough of this rant; your work here Mark with TG2 just keeps improving with each new post ...keep em coming!
scifibabe
wow - this is really cool. Love the blue colors in this. Great composition and lighting. Amazing space scene.
Rich2
Looking to redo my "Plieades" idea - and this gives me a bit of inspiration! Maybe later. And even if the prez doesn't like man in space, there's those of us who do! Keep the dream alive...
Foxfire66
That is totally Awsome my friend! OutSTANDING Work!!
shayhurs
that really turned out well!
LindaMcC
Like Foxfire66 wrote: "totally Awesome"! Creative, cool and excellent work. My favorite part is the fantasmic sky show.
Treasurer_and_Battle
This is great. I totally love it.
TallPockets
WONDERFULLY done!!
peedy
Fantastic omage. Love the terrain, too. Corrie
Savage_dragon
Sweet! ")
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
Dotthy
simply outstanding and I like the surface, it is fantastic!!!!!!!
kasalin
Cool terrain, surface and rocks. Nice work, Mark !!!!!!!!!! "Five stars" :) Hugs Karin :)
bloodnok
Another Space Splendour. You are a master of the genre.
gerberc
This rocks - superb space art!
artgum
Excellent POV for the terrain with it's stark light and shadow- I'm waiting the Lunar Module to come into view.
X-PaX
Very nice image. The surface looks very cool. Well done.
amapitodd
A little too "brown" for the Moon. But excellent nonetheless.
Danny_G
Excellent image Markal
Thelby
Moonscape, not to farscape ;^) Nice look back at the earth in a way we don't see very often!!! As to this current Prez, well, we will get over him like we have done all the rest before him ,................ hopefully in the next Prez election, though!!!!!
phfrancke
Oh yes! I recognize that planet!
prutzworks
strong work! looks like a Bonestell
DreamersWish
Breath taking scene! I wonder if that is what my daughter will see when she grows up to be an astronaut. Fantastic work!
corleonis
Sweet! :D You oughta try making a TG2 moon with fake stone shaders (it works great!)