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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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)
Lledeline
Great picture
lazydog
Jaw dropping render! Love the aurora effect on the horizon and the glow; terrain and surfaces are fantastic! :)
kiddd7
Yeah, awsome stuff V
zaberc
Beautiful spacescape !
Rich2
Hot spot? Got a few of those myself (too much information, I know...) Nicely composed!
shantay
the color effects are truly beautiful, great work!
Myth_de
Cool... er hot scene!
Dixiem47
What an excellent terrain and POV for this work. Colors are stunning wonderful blending.Top of the line PW also.
TerraDreamer
Excellent work! Too much atmosphere on the green planet, but that's just a matter of taste.
kasalin
Coooool work, Mark !! Superb sky and postwork !! Love the fire and heat !!
superza
cool lava effect!! ground really seems to burn!! very exc image!!
Tiwiwine
Nice and impressive composition.
Orestes
Great work! excellent compostion! :)
Kosmicman
+++wonderfull++++
gradient
Hot stuff!...awesome space art!
Westlie
WOW !FANTASTIC
Martchi
Agree with Westhie!Bravo!
prutzworks
a well done job; cool scifi image!
WeeLaddie
Love the colours in this wonderful sci-fi scene.
joshus_hund
Very cool/hot spot here! Xlt SF-Art! The red dust is very good!
doneydonydone
very very hot stuff! - love the haze but the background elements are perfect! VOTE
langolea
gate to Hell?? exellent work
choronr
SciFi at its best! One of your best Mark!!!
photostar
This is certainly one of your best renders of all time. All of the components have been skillfully blended into one awesome work.
smiles95
Great work :).
EoinArmstrong
Welcome to hell! Superb moody colours and atmo/lighting effects!
Andariel
Sublime, tr bon travail !
HorseLips
Excellent use of color throughout this render!...Looks like alot of work went into this render...and I say, "well done!"
synergy33
Looks like the end of the world... It could seems to be a simple detail, but I'd like to know how to make the shadow part of the planets. I've still so many things to learn...
bkhook
This is a really cool sci fi scene. Excellent job!