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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
Savage_dragon
I like the formations. Congratz on yer' new pc! ")
retepk
Superb.
daggerwilldo
Really a beautiful render. Glad your disk survived and you have a sceamin' hot machine now
0rest4wicked
Congrats on the upgrade...this image screams!
choronr
Congrats on your new system. As expected. you've done it again Mark. Neither of us is into animation; but, wouldn't be great to fly through this one? Beautiful work once more.
nosawayne
Very cool!
shayhurs
Great render and POV. Glad the HDD survived!
wizardofnoz
Thats the most important thing, at least all your data is safe. Congrats on this Xlt render!
peedy
Awesome image! Fantastic terrain and colors. Great lighting. Looks like you're having fun with the new PC. :-) Corrie
blacq_nyght_vampyre
Loving this!
odile
Congrats for your new machine! This sky is extraordinary!
corleonis
Way too cool, I really like the surfaces, hats off from me ... so glad the HD survived huh? ;D
stnaper
Absolutely Great As Always, I love your Space Art!
tiff666
Great landscape! Good luck with your new machine!
masonspappy
Good image and congrats on the new hardware!
Naoo
GREAT
Danny_G
nice
thecytron
Nicely put together!
grafikeer
Nice image my friend...rising from the ashes of your old pc comes another masterpiece!!
KnightWolverine
Well I guess this means that your future creations are gonna be even that much more intense then!.....This latest and newest Rocks!!
AndyWelder
Very nicely detailed terrain. That asteroid belt gives it a Mojo feel.
teecee2107
Splendid image. I'm sure your talent has nothing to do with your new PC :-)
NefariousDrO
That is gorgeous! Glad to hear that you were able to take care of the computer woes.
Rich2
The surfacing up front is monumental - that's one thing I like about TG2: the detail it can produce. Nice work!
efron_241
if only you could make these for terradome by runtimednc fantastic it would be
blankfrancine
Very far out. Realistic alien landscape. The asteroid ring is a great touch. Quite effective palette, too.
phfrancke
you were very lucky -- forced you to upgrade, it was well deserved. Hope you are enjoying the new power. I just lost my hard drive over the weekend and am slowly recovering things...
ACue
Well worth the investment! Superlative. 5+
Eresther
Anyway, this is a great image and, I feel sorry for your damages. If I had a positive critic to say, I would say it reminds me landscapes I missed with Bryce. All is perfect except the shape of this landscape for me (smooth effect). But great job on the planet, colors, effects and else.
MrMagica
Love the image. Realistic looking. And a new system makes it easier to render.