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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (30)
Dotthy
Wow, it is awesome. Excellent+++ fantastic work!!!!
dikaios
excellent postwork!
Buzzzzz
Agree completely with Dotthy! Excellent Space Render!
Dinalt
Agree with all the above - this is an excellent picture, reminds me of the beginning of Armageddon. Excellent work & gets my vote! V
timesoflore
Magnifique effet de souffle, de particules, de lumiere. La galaxie derriere est terrible. cadrage excellent !
Snow_Angel
OMG! This is totally the most awesome image! Fantastic effects and creativity! So dramatic and stunning! V :)
Terreinconnue
Very spectacular !!! WOAAAAAAAAWWWWW !!! Excellent postwork ;)
Tootsie
The thumbnail caught my eye....Excellent work and postwork.
Martchi
EXCELLENTE PIC!bravo
Darthmagus
Fantastic!!! Impressive work!!!
Haroon
Bravo V
reflash
Excellent work! Love the postwork!
Rich2
Wow - excellent postwork! The stars are a bit much, but a brilliantly executed concept!
lookey
Deep Impact!
adm5050
This is totally out there, great image.
CorTezz
agree with terrainconnue :) BOOOMMM!!!!
choronr
Is this the final ingredient to our demise? I hope not. Mark, this is a wonderful depiction of the way that nature possibly made the dinosaurs extinct. Excellent creativity. Beautiful work!
Micter
Excellent image ! Postwork is very well-done !
1pearl
Excellent work !
mad-mick
Great postwork,excellent pic
pclavett
Excellent postwork indeed !!! Excellent composition !
joshus_hund
Fantastic postwork! But how did you manage to escape from there? ;-)
superior
Gorgeous and fabulous view... FANTASTIC SPACE RENDER :)
k3nni
Amazing
PatGoltz
Your postwork is awesome! The distant planet looks very real.
shayhurs
Awesome job!
redawg2
OMG! This is KILLER!
Kosmicman
Very goood!
doneydonydone
oh my #/@! - this has excellent potential Mark - havent seen this image before - outstanding talen with the meteor and explosive effects!! amazing work!!!
mikeerson
You haven't had a comment on this one in over two years - thought I'd remind you where you came from now that you have a trophy of artist of the month sitting in your gallery.... I tried to leave you a comment on your first picture - I can't leave two comments - damn... I'd already commented on it back in January - lol I also wanted to go through your thumbs to see if you had ever done a planet on fire like Mercury... nope. My Bondage series is going to Hell and was looking for ideas. You are my favorite landscape artist - you don't have any firey planets - I'd love to see what you would do with that thought.