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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (27)
jmb007
superbe image!
shayhurs
Nicely done!
jrdrennes
magnific !
efron_241
stunning view
rianeli
I see three -
NefariousDrO
Very cool! I like it that the nebula looks like a huge eye. That terrain is really good as well, oh by the way, I found 4 faces.
masonspappy
Excellent work. Only suggestion I would make is to reverse the moon image so the shadow is aligned with shadows in the foreground
Antaran
This is a gorgeous image. Thank you!
Markal
Yeah, the moon....well, there are two suns and a glowing nebula. Still, nice catch masonpappy! BTW I have a grandson named Mason and he calls me Papa...:) How many faces???
alessimarco
Gorgeous otherworldly landscape!!
Danny_G
Nice render Mark
KnightWolverine
Give or take I spotted 10...though after awhile they seem to appear as faces everywhere because the mind plays tricks that way...Awesome Landscape and Design! -Will-
choronr
There are four faces; but, I can't figure out which one is yours.
shingleboot
Very beautiful
peedy
Fantastic image! Great terrain. I see 3 faces. Corrie
LindaMcC
WOW Mark! Corrie named it: "Fantastic!" Ohhh spooky! Where did those faces come from? Excellent everything!
Badsue
Great composition as always, Mark, and a nice idea to let us count the faces. I find 4 of them.
Naoo
Cool! Great with the Background!
Porthos
Terrific integration wonderful job!
ialora
Oooo, nice! Love the cliff faces.
corleonis
Awesome work Mark!! I love how the faces, you blended the Hubble neb - good stuff all around! I think there's 4 faces?
TerraCr8tor
Awesome nice great planet and nice backgroundimage
KatesFriend
Beautiful.
claudia02
Schön !
kasalin
Like a movie poster !!
DreamersWish
It is fabulous looking! I really like the nebula and the perspective. Well done!
Beakbryce4
cool colors from the background pic carried over to the planet atmo