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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (33)
Savage_dragon
Kinda' looks like a 'mojo'. I like it. ")
MagikUnicorn
TG2 looks so COOL Stunning work as usual :)
shayhurs
Cool!
grafikeer
Those distant planets are very well textured...really like the colour palette and overall composition...I wouldn't have known you had trouble with this one,very nicely done!
shingleboot
Fantastic image
geirla
Looks great to me! I'd really have to pick at it to see much wrong.
rachris480907
Marvelous!
choronr
I see a lot of very nice variation here and don't see why you're not satisfied with it ...maybe trying too hard. In all Mark, you did a fine piece of art here.
teecee2107
Nice composition and very good render. It looks really good to me too.
peedy
Looks fantastic to me! Great terrain with gorgeous colors and lighting. Corrie
ia-du-lin
excellent landscape, surface a nd atmo, fantastic sci-fi world
tiff666
This looks fantastic!
odile
This is very nice! Your textures are great!
Naoo
Ohhh -- very good!!!
Badsue
I like it as it is, Mark! Especially the textures on the ground and the planets. Super work!
Speedwrench96
The snow, or frost, doesn't look right but everything else looks great, especially above the horizon.
NefariousDrO
Fantastic, this is a breath-taking scene.
Danny_G
Sci-Fi poster here, great ground textures and colors
saphira1998
great work
greengoshawk
Perhaps the closest rock outcropping looks blurry, but it may just be that it has a glass-like property. Outstanding render overall.
EyeStorm
Beautiful image! excellent atmosphere! :)
fallen21
Amazing place!
masonspappy
Maybe it's red hot but I think it looks kind of cool...
artgum
I agree with Savage Dragon- actually very Mojo like. Nice sky and planets!
claudia02
Klasse Arbeit !
X-PaX
I like it very much. Cool work Mark.
starfire777
Fantastic world and surfacing!!!
Blitzz-Licht
Epic work....fantastic color concept, could be a (hiqh-quality) front cover of perry rhodan
Thelby
I understand as I am never satisfied with my work! Lots of elements in this and TG2 has not grown up enough to let them all play nice together!! In all a Fabulous piece of work!!!
efron_241
what a world you created.. fantastisch