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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (31)
teecee2107
Splendid one ! The terrain is fantastic and I really love the materials and the lighting.
thecytron
Out-of-this-world place! AmaZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzing ambiance lighting!
Savage_dragon
Really? I think it rocks. ")
artgum
I don't know why you wouldn't be happy Mark- that shimmering light on the beautiful azure water is awesome. Love the alien terrain too.
NefariousDrO
That is gorgeous, reminds me of the terraces that form around hot springs in places like Yellowstone. Love that sky, too!
grafikeer
I think this is a great image...the water is very well done,and the stepped terrain adds an element that leads you throughout...nicely done all around!
stnaper
You do just beautiful Deep Space Renders! I Love This One.
KatesFriend
Very imaginative. A landscape of rugged beauty.
KnightWolverine
It's more than okay from where I'm sitting...Even more so when zoomed....though I understand and feel your pain as I too have had more than my share of almost but not quite renders that turned out okay but knew that they could of been better if for the fact the program(in my case Bryce)decides to...... "Thrown a #$%$# Hissy fit and decided to take it's toys and go home"!!!... sorry got carried away...just let'n ya know your "not" along...(smiles)... I truly dig the emerald green clear water...Beauty!
choronr
No complaints here, maybe you been lookin at it too long; like I usually do with my stuff. In all, this is a beauty Mark - depth, light and overall balance ...right on!
peedy
Awesome image! Fantastic terrain; textures and lighting! Corrie
Badsue
I know what you're talking about Mark. About the time TG2 takes and about frustration about days (or even weeks) of working on just one picture that still doesn't satisfy. That's why I took a break from TG2 and meanwhile use other programs which are much faster to use. BUT - this one for sure shouldn't be a reason for being unhappy with, it's wonderful! I always love your terrains, and this water is amaaaazing! I love the blue shimmer and the coastline especially. Very well done!
saphira1998
great
TheOwl68
Looks nice to me =) Beautiful landscape~
odile
Yesssssss! Excellent light and colors.
X-PaX
Very nice work Mark
Hubert
Wonderful! Fantastic composition, terrain work and lighting!
amapitodd
Very imaginative scene. Excellent lighting and composition.
masonspappy
Reminds me of the cover on a scifi book I saw once. Can't remember what it was though
alphalioness
The water looks awesome! very interesting land.
ia-du-lin
fantastic terrain, great lighting and colors, beautiful water
claudia02
Schöne fremde Welt Szene.
Danny_G
Pretty cool Mark
Chaosphoto
Soo, when are we going fishing in this amazing place then Mark :)
timja11
Its really a nice scene, especially the mood and the render quality of the water. For me in TG2 I tried to handle imported objects with glass material ( I think it took me one week) and finally I do the same with a new layer using PS ;-) --- in 2 hours.
starfire777
Very cool image!!!
moat
Wow!
blacq_nyght_vampyre
This is truly amazing. wow
Pelican
terrain and water excellent !
neoexcello
I'd forgotten about your gallery....such wonderful renders. I've got to wander through your images!