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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (35)
bimm3d
very beautiful image!!
peedy
Fantastic image! Great terrain and sky. Corrie
odile
Just wonderful!
Chaosphoto
Very beautful in a barren sort of way
choronr
Yes, Mercury is a good subject. It has a twilight zone. Like the moon, it only shows one face. One side is dark; the other is bright. It is the middle that has the perfect zone. I want to see you portray this one.
geirla
Great looking image!
Domi48
Splendid image but, indeed, Venus has a dense toxic atmosphere...
ragouc
Very nice landscape
ia-du-lin
fantastic landscape and sky, wonderful image
masonspappy
Nice - has a quiet, thoughtfull moode to it
Naoo
Alex_NIKO
Beautiful landscape... nicely done!
NefariousDrO
Really nice one, Venus was the planet that has been the most fascinating to me. As for Mercury, perhaps "Flight of the Bumblebee"? Winged messenger and all...
KatesFriend
A grand and fitting scene for the season.
Speech
Oh I wish I could see it like that, oh hang on.... I just did - Good stuff!
X-PaX
Nice work Mark.
TerraCr8tor
Fantastic work, great surface and texture
shayhurs
Excellent as usual!
Dotthy
wonderful landscape and a fantastic atmo!!!!!!!
Danny_G
Very Nice
artgum
Wonderful image Mark! Must be viewed full size to appreciate. Ah, yes, Mercury; my buddy in high school had a '64, it was really cool...oh, wait a minute, you're talking about the planet. Never mind. Superb work on the night atmo and lighting here.
KnightWolverine
corleonis
This is really nice! a little different composition than your usual but i like that, I think that this Holst series could be something special! Looking forward to more ;)
ISSE
looks dreamy image
claudia02
Schöne Nachtarbeit !
Rich2
Very peaceful - and well composed. Another planet in the series? Saturn, I believe would make an impressive subject, but tough to get the rings just so. Then how about Uranus, Bringer of Gas? C'mon Mark, you knew it was coming...
azrabella
Best yet, my friend - Merry Christmas to you.
Thelby
Nice desolation in this. Personally I would like to explore that mtn range dead ahead!! Merry Christmas!!!
Swidhelm
Fantastic work!
LindaMcC
Perfect lighting. Beautiful, excellent work.