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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.Â
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 (18)
choronr
A striking piece of work Mark.
shayhurs
Very cool
Drakkendark
Probably one of the better of Tolkien's poems. He was an innovative author, but not a great poet I think. Great work on this.
Savage_dragon
Not to the king. & the king has returned. Stunning work, Mark. Wow! ")
Danny_G
Excellent
NefariousDrO
Very nice, the mood fits that perfectly.
phey
The only thing I can say here is that "The Way is Shut" it is kept by the dead and no life of any kind can live there. My suggestion is that to keep with a place/passage such as this it should be devoid of all life. Lose the plant life and trees and try again. The dead tree is fine and any other tree or plant life should also be dead and for thousands of years. "The way is shut, and the dead do not suffer the living to pass."
peedy
Awesome!!!! Fabulous terrain and surfaces! Beautiful atmo and lighting. Corrie
odile
Fantastic scene. The terrains and the lightning are brilliant.
teecee2107
Superb, I love the atmo.
thecytron
AmaZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzing composition!
masonspappy
Saw this over at PLanetside. Downright eerie!!
ia-du-lin
fantastic landscape, atmo and fog, excellent work
artgum
Oh, such a mysterious and creepy atmo; wonderful scene!
MoppelundWilli
wow.
KnightWolverine
Outstandingly Awesome!
pclavett
Love it Mark !
phfrancke
classic cool!