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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (28)
grafikeer
Very nice...I like the play of light and shadows,and the sky looks really good...well done!
choronr
I can hear the hooting of the owls; smell the sweet dampness of the vegetation; and, swallow this inspiration for a scene I have in mind - thanks buddy for this fine piece of work. Yep, while you were having fun creating this piece, I stared at my monitor for 98+ hours grrrrr!
shayhurs
Nice!
KnightWolverine
Atmosphere enriched wonderland....Beautiful Scene/Landscape!
zil2008
Beautiful scene!
Kattey
It is very lovely place :)
peedy
WOW, gorgeous scene and lighting! Corrie
Imaginatos
LOVELY work ! :)
Badsue
Great secenery, I love the shadow play in this one. I also like the procedural terrain (guess it is one?) in front of the trees to the right which look like a mix of rock and stubs. Although this scene is located on earth, the atmo/lighting still has something of the typical Markal-scifi-worlds-touch for me. I wonder how you achieve this - it's special!
wilhelm2
Wonderful atmosphere!
masonspappy
OUtstanding!!
SIGMAWORLD
Beautiful landscape scene!
shingleboot
Awesome image, beautiful scene
Savage_dragon
Wow. Yes, I love trees. But ours look very strange. Joshua Trees. I mean, they aren't even good for fire wood. All fiber. they only smoke. They aren't even really trees, but a weird tall cactus. The desert is a strange place, but I love her. ;)
thecytron
Beautiful detailed artwork!
Minaya
Beautiful composition, very nice Terragen work!!
Limbo
Wow (is this really terragen?)Amazing work and yes, trees are my friends too.
Thelby
To say this has a Good Mood kind of sounds like a Cliché doesn't it?!?! But, in this image I really mean it as it draw me into the picture and though it looks like terra firma it has this other worldly quality and effect to it as well!!!!!
AndyWelder
Where did you hide the crickets? I swear I can hear them tjirping! The lighting is great, the scene is indeed lit like it would be with a full moon. And those pebbles.... I take it they are fake stones, tweaked to perfection?
ia-du-lin
wonderful landscape, great atmo/lighting
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark. I like the mood in this one. Well done.
Danny_G
excellent mark
Alex_NIKO
Beautiful landscape! Great work my friend!
LindaMcC
Wonderful lighting, mood & clarity. What a beauty! Excellent+ work!
Naoo
Excellent! I love this trees!!!
phfrancke
a deep rich and moody scene. And the shadow play is magnificent.
RJS
Yikes! I need to crawl out from under my stone more often. I had no idea that Terragen could do this. Look at that vegetation. It's wonderful! You've constructed this scene masterfully, mate. I can practically smell the vegetation and hear the sounds of the night when I look at this image. Absolutely stunning work!
ladylake
Browsing your galley......so many great images.