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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (29)
rachris480907
Excellent! Just plain excellent! There is something wonderfully pristine about your work! I love the green tones in this. Wonderful render!
artgum
A superb image Mark!
Osper
Nice job!!!!!
geirla
Very nice! great sky!
RJS
Brilliant work! This has a feeling of cold desolation about it, along with the sense of wonder.
choronr
And starting out one way and ending another always happens for me as well. If something doesn't work the way you plan, just shake the kaleidoscope. This is one where high contrast has worked out well for you Mark ...looking very good.
tosk
The choice of starfield background works well and good use of light (and shadows) in this piece. Did it take a while to get the lighting right for this image?
peedy
Fntastic image and lighting. Just love the terrain! Corrie
shayhurs
Very cool!
Keymilan
Nice terrrain and fantastic lighting.
odile
Impressive landscape! Well done!
ia-du-lin
fantastic terrain, surface and lighting
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent scene.
Bossie_Boots
Incredible and very impressive art !!
Kattey
It is very impressive but I'm finding moon crescent slightly overwhelming, if pillar was the main focus point.
Speedwrench96
Great image! The "god-rays" seem to be coming from a different angle.
wizardofnoz
Always XLT!!
thecytron
Great render!
Thelby
Another in the 'Spooky Cool' class!
Danny_G
Good mood
aubedo
bizarre landscape - but fantastic rendering... it' world machine 2 or it's terragen... or did you create the heightmap for terragen in worldmachine?
Badsue
Very very cool, Mark! For me this "starting something and ending up completely different" is the usual thing! :)
Rich2
I do much of the same thing, Mark... A lot of work with TG2 is hit-or-miss, but sometimes ya turn up a gem. Very thought-provoking work!
billcody
A landscape to dream away, maybe the beginning of a sci-fi novel or something... Outstanding render!
KatesFriend
What a sight to behold.
X-PaX
Very nice render.
starfire777
Fantastic image!!!
stbc
Rich and detailed. Love it.
ShawnDriscoll
I'd visit there.