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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (23)
necrophage
beautiful landscape!
kasalin
Fantastic little flowers !!!
Danny_G
Nice depth in this Mark, higher contrast works well IMHO
artgum
Outstanding beauty and mood- makes me even more impatient for spring!
faroutsider
Super image Mark. Great mood.
Coppens
Just splendid!
Porthos
Very pretty scene!
Thelby
Nice mix of plants and the trees are work well in this scene, good work dude!!!
masonspappy
Looks especially cool when viewed full size
phfrancke
a very bright cheerful place perfect for the hobbits.
LindaMcC
You've done a great job with the populations of plants, flowers & trees. The trees, in particular, are just awesome, as is the whole of your beautiful scene.
choronr
You have done well here Mark. A great assembly of the composition. I would be tempted to try the 'soft filter' on this render.
mikeerson
looks like you saw the star trek movie where they shot off genesis - lol... you've got some life on this planet - lol - looks good.
peedy
Lovely terrain. Nice ligthing. Corrie
egehlin
Very nice...love the detail in the foliage when viewed full-size. Excellent work!!!
scifibabe
Awesome trees. Really wonderful setting and details. A beautiful scene.
Dotthy
great work with the plants and so unusual for you ;o)
bloodnok
Beautiful! Love the perspective tonal changes.
SIGMAWORLD
Very nice scene!
stbc
Cool stuff, Mark.
DreamersWish
Well done! It looks like a lovely place to be.
KatesFriend
This is marvelous.
corleonis
Great work, its nice to switch it up from space art sometimes, isnt it? You have been doing some real nice non-space images lately