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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
0rest4wicked
That is a vista one would be hard pressed to forget!
Savage_dragon
This has got to be one of my favs, Mark. Love it!! ")
efron_241
what a wonderful world
shayhurs
Nice!
geirla
Excellent image!
rooks
Great rendering! beautiful scenery
wizardofnoz
I wud rather say that I liked this better than Kim Poor's work.
Trigue
great image, the foreground textures look awesome :)
peedy
Fantastic image! Great terrain and mist. Corrie
stnaper
Fantastic scene!
odile
Very impressive view. Superb composition! :)
teecee2107
Splendid ! Excellent idea to put the asteroid ring in a vertical plane. This adds an unusual mood to this superb image.
Terrade
excellent stuff, cant get more alienish than this or can it
Naoo
WONDERFUL
fallen21
Awesome work.
Danny_G
nice work Mark
masonspappy
A very good image and great perspective!
Pelican
I like your interpretation of the theme "Sword of Herschel" more than the original !!!
amapitodd
Excellent scene.
ia-du-lin
great view of the planet, fantastic terrain, like the stone mat and the fog
KnightWolverine
Stunning and captivating use of Terragen!!
choronr
Very impressive lighting and composition. Your style is tops.
snowdenml
Very Dynamic! I would like to see the Real Thing some day! Michael
pclavett
Another out of this world Mark ! Great job !
X-PaX
Excellent work Mark. Well done.
artgum
Outstanding mood- and POV- for this. Excellent.
emailandthings
great
LightDrop
Such an awesome work - I'm speechless...
MoppelundWilli
killer.great dedication.
claudia02
Klasse Arbeit !