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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (20)
grafikeer
A Holst suite? Sounds like a great idea for a series! Excellent surface texture on Mars,and a great POV!
mikeerson
looks great, but can you handle another series? LOL I hardly see you around here anymore - lol
artgum
I say go for it, Mark! A fine image to kick off the series.
peedy
Fantastic image! Great terrain and POV! Corrie
Domi48
Good inspiration!
efron_241
Great image.. realistic
masonspappy
That is extraordinarily cool!
shingleboot
Awesome image
Danny_G
Cool work Mark, great pallete
DeathTwister
Oh this is hot my friend, so very sorry I have not been on much, but fighting Liver Cancer takes allot out of me and not been on much for a number of reasons. Hope to change that soon but it is tuff and my lady don't like me on much when I am so sick, bless her heart as she is right after all and she is also my Advocate and she has full control of me as my Ensepolapthy (Close spelling) gets real bad and I space way to much out. But she is right and she is very protective most the time LOL, but I would have been dead without her by now so I let her run the show till I get my brains back, oh the days lol....
NefariousDrO
Magnificent, I think the series sounds like an awesome idea!
scifibabe
Glorious scifi scene. Wonderful warm lighting and sky. Very cool.
LindaMcC
Love the rock texture! Fantastic POV. Awesome and excellent work.
choronr
In an airless atmosphere, the stark contrasts are probably what one would see - otherwise, with an atmo, one would expect to see some detail in the shadows. A good depiction of an alien place here. If I have a criticism here it would be that the contrasts are too great.
X-PaX
Very cool work.
claudia02
Klasse Arbeit !
KatesFriend
As dramatic as the music itself.
Swidhelm
Incidentally my favorite piece from that symphony. Great work!
DreamersWish
It sounds like it will be a marvelous series. I say go for it if you have the time. Mars is certainly in your face on this image. Makes for a great mood. Well done!
phfrancke
wonderful composition!! Who says the Gods don't play pool?