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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (37)
mikeerson
I read the title and was expecting something shaped more like plumbers crack - lol... but this looks nice.
NefariousDrO
That is gorgeous, I think. Wonderful sky.
dashboard_jehovah
Not happy with it??? IMHO..This is outstanding in every way! Congrats on a job well done.
scifibabe
Well I don't see anything 'wrong' with it at all. Really amazing work. One of your best ... for me. Love your composition and lighting and effects.
corleonis
Whoa! Impressive if you ask me, the only thing you maybe could have 'improved' IMO is the lighting on the cliffs, but i like it dark and ominous like this, i wouldn't change it .... you know, a person walking under these huge towers might be interesting ;)
masonspappy
Rock texturing and sky are fantastic! Not so wild about the small moon or cliffs
nosawayne
Aewsome!
grafikeer
The large number of rocks are a great touch,and the sky is amazing...I like it as is!
ia-du-lin
great landscape and atmo, great pov
odile
Wonderful!The blue planet ring really enhances your picture!
peedy
Fantastic! Great rocks; sky and lighting! Corrie
choronr
You've done well here my friend; only one suggestion - maybe add a light source (not too much) to reveal a bit of the vertical land form on the right, Light sources require a large size; and, high intensity to work. You might want to give it a try.
TerraCr8tor
Fantastic, great sky, nice mood
spdskool
Great lookin' landscape
Alex_NIKO
Wonderful planetscape!!
Naoo
Wonderful Mood!!!
Badsue
Actually I find it perfect as is, it's beautiful! Just agree to choronr regarding the light source, it should light up the rocks on the right just a little bit, must not be much. Great render as always!
kassad
Great Scene, Lighting and POV. Excellent. B->
Chaosphoto
seriously awesome scene :)
FloydianSlip
Outstanding scene! Very well done. :)
KnightWolverine
Here......I just got a thicker set(glasses)....try looking at it through these.....lol... This is Amazingly Impressive !.. I'm fascinated by all the darkness yet you can see everything amazingly well... IMO it's Outstanding!!
azrabella
Stark - beautiful, and has Mark written all over it.
alessimarco
~Fabulous otherworldly landscape!!!~
phfrancke
a lot of good stuff going on in here. The cliffs -- if you could do something with them, but I like their role in the composition. It's a striking image!
artgum
Love that sky and those rocks.
X-PaX
For me it looks very nice. Very nice scene.
ppetersen
superb Mark...absolutely superb
KatesFriend
Well, this is awesome to behold.
faroutsider
Stunning mood lighting and composition!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!