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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (26)
Savage_dragon
Pretty cool, Mark! ")
KnightWolverine
Ohhhhh Yeah!!...This Rocks!!.. Excellent Scene/Landscape Art!
bkhook
Nice work.
geirla
Wonderful colors and lighting!
Naoo
Excellent SF!
odile
Excellent!
Kattey
It is beautiful :) Thanks!
Danny_G Online Now!
Cool overlays Mark Nice image
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent!
shayhurs
Wow!
alessimarco
~Fantastic!~
efron_241
Think it looks like this indeed Did you know it has a dark ring around it.. like Jupiter and Neptune(s).. Great image
Chaosphoto
Love it Mark, your landscapes are so imaginative yet feel realistic too
peedy
Fantastic scene! Great terrain and lighting. Corrie
choronr
My what? No, really, a wondrous depiction. If it were not for the world conditions and US; and, peace and prosperity, man could be way ahead in space exploration. A real shame. Mark, you do inspirational work here with your space images ...keep on!
Domi48
Beautiful creation.
TerraCr8tor
Well done, great picture
phfrancke
and magic it is - I like the cracks leading you into the image and the light/dark/light/dark. Great shadow and drama in the center spires.
claudia02
Klasse Blick !
kasalin
another "hit" of you
artgum
Ah, mysterious Uranus- what lies down there in the blue? Excellent work Mark.
inkydigit
super rocks and details...love it!
DreamersWish
I love the whole image! Lovely planet surface and view of Uranus. Well done!
corleonis
Great terrain - I love how those spires in the shadows
Dotthy
stunning work!!!!!!!
NefariousDrO
Ooh! That is so cool, I can't believe I missed this when you posted it. I love the terrain in this, that is fantastic!