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.
ÂÂ
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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (23)
NefariousDrO
Wow, that's really amazing! I like the tower, and the way the water is somewhat transparent but then becomes a mysterious murky color. Very cool!
Savage_dragon
Wow, this looks great, Mark. ")
artgum
I found the more I looked, the more "Nessies" I found; I'm up to five now...how many did you put in there? Very nice scene!
mps
Looks lovely to me
shayhurs
Spectacular work!
Danny_G
Very nice, lots of time went into this, nice
grafikeer
The time spent paid off...great POV and light in this one!
teecee2107
Very nice landscape !
peedy
Fantastic image! Beautiful atmo; lighting and clouds! Corrie
odile
This is a superb landscape! The clouds are stunning. It makes me think of Urquart Castle and yes, Nessie is there! :o)))
fallen21
Amazing scene, very nice work!
ia-du-lin
great view, wonderful landscape and plants, great cloud formations
Fidelity2
It is very well done. Thank you. 5+! My Fav.!
Coppens
Wonderful! I'd just say the clouds seem too compact to me...
saphira1998
cool
DreamersWish
That looks like a most beautiful and magical place. Gorgeous work!
choronr
Great take on the Loch. Like the whole composition with your choices of colors and light. Agree about the clouds; maybe a little thinner.
masonspappy
Everything fits together very well, except for the clouds. From this angle they just look too hard.
vapo
Fabulous landscape, those clouds in particular are pretty spectacular! Vashek
ratfugel
Wow!
starfire777
Fantastic scene!!!
KatesFriend
Excellent realism.
KnightWolverine
Magnificent POV/Landscape!