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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
choronr
In every aspect, this is one of your best images. I just want to keep on looking at it ...great one Mark!
Domi48
Always fascinating.
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous
Savage_dragon
Ah... now this is what I missed! My Mark is back. :*
lonely_wolf
Simply great!
Bossie_Boots
Wow this is incredible !!
carlx
Wonderful composition!!!
Lashia
Awesome landscape, remidns me of the movie Predators that I watched recently. Great shot- thanks for sharing!
Naoo
wonderful classic style
artgum
Perfect balance- a strikingly beautiful image!
VEDES
AMAZING CREATION !!!!!1BRAVO!!!!
odile
Very nice! Superb landscape.
Danny_G
Nice work mark, proper signature image, never get tired of these
masonspappy
N-i-c-e!
shayhurs
Spectacular job!
Thelby
Nice work, dude!!!
grafikeer
Excellent planetscape...love the lighting and colour palette...great render!!
peedy
Fantastic scene and terrain. Gorgeous lighting. Corrie
ia-du-lin
wonderful fantasy world, great landscape structures and wonderful sky/moons
Dotthy
I agree with Bob, awesome work!!!!!!!!!!
starfire777
Fantastic space scenery!!!
X-PaX
Very nice sci-fi image Mark.
herber1004
I love all your space scenes Markal! You got a great gift for space scenes!
Badsue
Great sci-fi scene again, Mark! Love the textures and colours.
Terrade
nice one
SIGMAWORLD
Wonderful space scene. Well done!
claudia02
Klasse Bild !!!
shine40
Great work as always, Markal
RJS
Wow! Space art on a grand scale. Professional grade - I never tire of images like this. Keep 'em coming!
retepk
Superb.