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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (33)
laocoon
Beautiful, fantastic detail, love the reflection on the water.
res1yfb1
Very,Very Nice work! A+
wintersherz
nice textures and pic too
Darthmagus
Wonderful use of overlays! Superb water and clouds!
joshus_hund
...acceptable! ;-) Xlt render, esp. the water! The transparency and underwater surfaces are really wonderful!
criss
Very beautiful scene!
utak3r
Is it acceptable?... hmmm... let's think... ;P no, it's excellent! Terrain, surfaces(!), atmo and the water are just perfect :) Superb picture, great work!
Petra-S
fantastic detail,beautiful U-water,super scene!
hillrunner
Hi.......... :) Could be better with soft 2d clouds ! Cool textures and water, maybe a bit too sharp
Mykes
Terrain -cool. Clouds - cool as well. Water and Underwater Super cool!
X-PaX
Great Terrain and Surface. The Water looks excellent. IMHO the clouds could look better as 2d clouds. Overall, an excellent work.
T2
Well, lemme see, I love the clouds, the water, the surfaces, the terrain... So I guess I love almost everything in this pic! Excellent work!
crashcowboy
The creek is soooo beautiful ! Water and shoreline are perfect and exciting. Everything fits there .... overlays, water transparency, reflections .... One of the best water surfaces I ever saw ! I don't agree hillrunner and X-PaX about the clouds; they are great too. Only thing is the terrain above the creek; the higher regions could need some more excitement too. But on the other hand .... The real big star in here is the creek itself ! Outstanding job !
Orestes
Great work! really like the green stuff along the water :)
Martchi
XLT overlays ,water and sky,Bravo!
Buzzzzz
Underwater Surfaces and Water Settings are Superb Mark! Do I hear Violins playing ? ;o)
jgkane
A+++. I only wish TERRAGEN allowed one to save viewpoints as does MOJOWORLD. Then scenes as beautiful as this could be played about with by less creative folk,(like myself).
Kosmicman
Wonderful Water!!!!! Great Mountains
HeikoH
Very nice water and surface! :-)
AnneCHPostma
Definately acceptable ! Your textures look better then the general amount of Terragen images !
rmnative111
We all need reassurance occasionally...you have no need to worry. WOW! Stunning surfaces. The water looks like springs.
B-M-O
Superb overlay!
morganbesh
I really like the transparent water and the dark rocks, that was a really good choice. overall, excellent pic!
stbc
Mark, this has the best underwater surfacing (and water, too) I have ever seen! I have been fooling around trying for this "algal mat" look for a while and haven't come close. I agree with crash 'cause the clouds, while a wee bit heavy are still cool. Cheers.
ClydeFrog
Beautiful Landscape! Great depth also.
redawg2
If you create art for your happiness, others will see happiness in it & rejoice. If you create it for gratitude that often brings rejoicing unhappiness. Happiness and work rose up together with the sun, radiant like it.-Paul Gauguin
inkydigit
fantastic surface /overlay work, pov is perfect water is amazing....i suppose that is what you might call acceptable!!;)
christianfly
You are right, it is just acceptable ;-)))))))))and superb....
gradient
Man, that water/shore/overlay work is awesome!!! also love the clouds!
choronr
I don't think I've ever seen water with such waves, roughness and reflections like this combined with your excellent overlay work. Altogether, this is maximum super!!!