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.
Â
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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (20)
Savage_dragon
Wow. So cool! ")
Danny_G
NICE
Drakeneye
Lovely, another gem of space and time.
shayhurs
Nice!
0rest4wicked
Most outstanding!
teecee2107
Wonderful ! Love the color palette.
peedy
Fantastic image! Beautiful terrain and lighting. Corrie
odile
Superb. Terrains and light are wonderful!
stnaper
Awesome Render!
ia-du-lin
wonderful lost world, excellent terrain, lighting and atmo, great image!
KnightWolverine
I stand in Awe with each one you present!
pclavett
Great one Mark...does this have to do with something out of Stargate ??? Love the mood ! Great work !
masonspappy
Good one
Rich2
Johnny Quest??? Yeah, I remember that one, too. Well, I sure like that fine-grained texture, and good to see you're using TG2 to create the planet. Looking good! You ought to check out my "Planet Creator" on Planetside's File Sharing forum.
MoppelundWilli
wonderful postwork and stunnung atmo & mood here again from the one and only terragen-space-scifi-artist mark. I admire that you keep on creating so many beautiful images over that long period of time Mark.
starfire777
Fantastic terrain!!!
Thelby
Yes, Dr Quest, Race, Hadji, and Bandit would be proud!
Denger
Yes, I see what you mean. Easy to imagine Johnny and Hadji passing along this scene in a hovercraft, or on camel! Doug Wildey's backgrounds were superb, as are yours. FIVE STARS
wizardofnoz
As usual superbly done!!!!!
blankfrancine
Jonny Quest was one of my faves, too. Awesome sci-fi image.Love the stars and planets.