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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.Â
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 (20)
Kattey
Space dino doo-doo! :) Nice texture on this space traveler.
Chaosphoto
it sure would look good in my rockery, can I have it :)
odile
Who knows? But great POV anyway!!
DreamersWish
That doo just won't do! The texture is too pretty. I love the pebbles around it. Quite lovely work really!
peedy
Fantastic image. Gorgeous lighting. Corrie
shayhurs
Nice! Love the multi-facet effect.
choronr
Most striking to me is those gravel piles - you need to write a tutorial on how to create them ...need a writer? Let me know. The doo doo is done did well ...hard to tell what the creature ate. In all, you did some fine work here; not only the composition, but also you choices of colors; the light; and the nice picture balance.
claudia02
Schöner Stein, der da liegt.
LindaMcC
An awesome and beautiful result, Mark. Looks like you've been doing some image mapping? Superb light and another very cool render!
corleonis
It's a coprolite! :D I really like the colors on the surfaces, great alien feel. And i agree with Bob, the gravel looks superb!
Danny_G
Killer surface work, great render mark
jmb007
superbe terrain!!
masonspappy
This is really good stuff. I'll second choronr about the gravel piles.
prutzworks
it's a giant gemm stone, cool render Mark
artgum
It's a fossilized crustacean- this was once a sea floor, and it came to rest here. Excellent scene Mark.
scifibabe
Wonderful job on this. Very unique. Cool and creative.
Rich2
Some very detailed surfaces you've achieved here, Mark. But I'd be willing to guess that doo-doo came from Uranus...
Drakeneye
Fantastic Landscape Maybe like a rock with crystals Dilitium. Excellent Markal
KatesFriend
I love the colours of this one.
Dotthy
woaw, this is so awesome, I am speechless!!!!!!!!