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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
rachris480907
Stunning render! Your work is always a joy to view! Great job!
ladylake
This is incredible. I am in awe.
artgum
Magnificent Mark! I love the light rays peeking over the edge of the canyon wall. That's the stuff, man.
choronr
Nice creativity Mark; and, I like the the Biblical series idea. Consider Googling the area called 'Wadi Rum' - this mountain reminds me of what you will see there. Scale-wise, I would reduce the size of the bushes and flowers here.
MadameX
This is awesome! It look so real!
jhmart1
This is awesome! The perspective and the realism really is authentic! 5*
kagemusha77
Great composition, such a majestic landscape you've created here!
tosk
Canyons provide a great opportunity for light, shadow and a dramatic point of view and this image provides all three. Great work!
peedy
Fantastic! What a massive terrain! Beautiful lighting. Corrie
ia-du-lin
fantastic canyon view, great terrain and lighting
Naoo
really great!
TallPockets
WELL done!
A.C.Wolfe
Looks great
azrabella
I like this one. The rock terracing is killer - but Mark, you must learn to roll with the punches.
Bossie_Boots
Ok i dont usually comment on a critique but i see nothing wrong with this image at all to be honest the shrubs and bushes look perfect and fit well into this might i say amazing scene and the reason i looked is because im trying to learn to make scenes like this not terragen but bryce and it is not easy and im in awe of what you have achieved here !!
RJS
Brilliant image! Your use of light brings out the textures beautifully. Bravo!
wotan
Beautiful terrain, textures and lighting!
KnightWolverine
Amazing Landscaping....From my POV the shrubs look appropriately proportioned to the scale of the terrain!...(smiles)...
fredric_lpn
Cool Tg render and great canyon! your picture reminds me of my last images but with a different angle!
Danny_G
Great POV nice Mark
X-PaX
Excellent work.
starfire777
Excellent canyon!!!
pclavett
Lovely canyon Mark ! Love the light !
KatesFriend
Fantastic.
VEDES
Amazing!!!!A thousand congratulations about your gallery.You are unique.
SIGMAWORLD
Sehr schöne Terragen-Szene.
Drakeneye
Excellent, incredible canyon.
wizardofnoz
Visually stunning without question. But the Judean desert has a more pale orangish and yellow-ochre soil. And the sparsh bushes are found in the wadis (gorges) than the crests. If you got onto facebook u can see my photos of these places.