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.
ÂÂ
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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (25)
choronr
Hey puttzo, take care of yourself so that you get as old as me! Anyway, I'm hoping you someday come down to Earth and start applying your talents to what you see here - unless of course, they have abducted you and gave you a grand tour.
TooL_PePe
Io, or Europa? The view would be spectacular from either! Hehe. Excellent work!
neoexcello
Stunning textures. Beautiful image.
Naoo
Illusionator
Nice image, but Gustav Holst's symphony was inspired by the signs of the Zodiac not the physical planets.
scifibabe
Gorgeous view of Jupiter. Fabulous details and composition. I look forward to Saturn. Hadn't heard about the 'old age' thing for it though. :)
Danny_G
Nice Mark
masonspappy
Excellent work!
Markal
Attn: Illusionator, The Planets, Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the British composer Gustav Holst, written between 1914 and 1916(a long time ago!). Each movement of the suite is NAMED AFTER A PLANET of the Solar System and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst. With the exception of Earth, all the planets are represented (except for Earth and PLUTO, which I believe is a planet in our solar system!). You are correct: The concept of the work is ASTROLOGICAL, rather than astronomical (which is why Earth is not included and also Pluto discovered in 1930): each movement is intended to convey ideas and emotions associated with the influence of planets on the "psyche", not Roman deities. (Hmmm, the bringer of war, Mars...the bringer of Peace, Venus...yeah...it still falls within the Roman beliefs.) The idea was suggested by Clifford Bax, who introduced Holst to astrology when the two were part of a small group of English artists holidaying in Majorca in 1913; Holst became quite a devotee of the subject, and liked to cast his friends' horoscopes for fun. Holst also used Alan Leo's book What is a Horoscope? as a springboard for his own ideas, as well as for the subtitles (i.e., "The Bringer of...") for the movements. So, If I make an image of a planet, trying to visualize the music of the symphony, am I not conveying the "psyche" of the original idea??? I am trying....give me a break...please!!! Astronomical, Astrological, Zodiacal....the music envokes a visual image....even though my work may not convey astrology...it conveys something...yes???, I'm trying....Thanks!
geirla
Very nice looking image!
nosawayne
Brilliant!
artgum
I could see this framed and hanging in my room- excellent work Mark!
peedy
WOW, fantastic image and lighting. Corrie
TerraCr8tor
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chaosphoto
Well, that block of land looks a little bare but it sure has a million dollar view :)
sim3344
Excellent work!!!
LindaMcC
Love it! Awesome and excellent work, Mark!
Blitzz-Licht
...top Work...
Drakeneye
Excellent, Fantastic.
X-PaX
Excellent work Mark.
DreamersWish
That terrain looks painful on the feet. Marvelous texture on the terrain and space scape! Well done!
claudia02
Klasse Bild !
phfrancke
Nothing Jolly about this image - it is a dead serious and beautiful view that nails the beauty and loneliness and rockiness in space. I love the general greyness with the splash of colors that you did. Excellent!!
KatesFriend
Stark beauty of the heavens.
efron_241
I too see Pluto as a planet. It was not discovered yet in 1914.. would take another 20 years Jupiter is also the protector.. I eats many rocks and iceballs before they can hit earth and the other planets