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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
MagikUnicorn
G O R G E O U S Great Imagination !
Savage_dragon
Super cool! ")
shayhurs
nice render
choronr
These one or two word comments really bug me; but, non the less, they're good enough to have visit I guess; but, this image really deserve more. You've made an interesting creation Mark. Seeing all that we have at our disposal to make Terragen compositions, the possibilities are endless such as you have done here. Critiques are most of what we are looking for; and, given by folks who are experienced and can offer solutions to issues with our images. Experimentation is the key which I know you do a lot of; and, that is why we look forward to your exciting works.
artgum
I like this concept and effect. For me, I'd move that foreground rock formation a little more to the left- I wanna see more ice geisers!
NefariousDrO
I love the geyser effects, it's a spectacular view. I can almost imagine Saturn's Moo Tethys looking like that down by it's now famous "tiger stripes" area. Very cool!
mps
Wonderful image
Danny_G
Very nice Markal, I wish overlays looked as good in v2 as they did in v.9, Proper Markal brand image
grafikeer
Great geyser effect,and the "surprise effect" on the planet really worked out well...very cool image!
alessimarco
~Fantastic!~
peedy
Beautiful! Fantastic geysers! Corrie
odile
Beautiful landscape.
ia-du-lin
beautiful landscape, excellent fountains, wonderful sci-fi image
retepk
Superb.
teecee2107
Superb 'wild' lanscape. Excellent work, as usual.
Birgushilda
Terrific picture. Thank you !!!!! You're the best for years !!!!
AndyWelder
I always find it hard to comment on your renders because I'm never sure where TG ends and postwork takes over. Those vents however...They are great! Great idea and execution. Thumbs up! Mind if I play a bit with those cloud settings, thinking about a more earthly scene like Yellowstone or so.
thecytron
Nicely put together!
Mika
Quite simply put : This is a good image. Not your everyday topic and well laid-out presentation. Really caught my eye... Well done indeed !
Alex_NIKO
Nice work!
saphira1998
great
masonspappy
I can kinda sort somewhat see how the same effect might be used in making a waterfall. Don't suppose you ever experimented with that?
Rich2
I tried making a dust-devil for a Mars themed image once: didn't come out so well. This did pretty durn good I'd say, though it's not easy to get everything just right. Keep at it and keep learning and sharing!
starfire777
Fantastic space scene!!!
TerraCr8tor
Well done great work with the clouds as usual a great BG 5++
Dotthy
not so realistic.... it is sooooo stunning, very excellent art work!!!!!!!!!!!!
vapo
Great, spectacular scene, very creative render... Vashek
claudia02
1A Arbeit !