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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (37)
fenixcats
Very well done again!!
lazydog
Superb! Fantastic use of overlays & excellent postwork. :)
smiles95
Overlay work and foreground are excellent!
Rich2
I'd say we have a winner here! Superb composition!
kristian1024
excellent done..
marcoantonio
This is what is a great use of terragen! I can't decide what I liked more, terrain, atmosphere or pw! Excellent
Tiwiwine
Beautiful render, excellent in all aspects. Overlay is very well done, but... is there a way to obtain similar crackles directly on the terrain, instead of using an overlay ?
deft
This one kills me with this awesome overlays!!! superb!!!
Coreycupcake
Wow, nice one! Everthing blends well in this superb sci-fi scene.
morganbesh
Awesome overlays! Super pov, postwork, and image!
choronr
You've managed to bring together many 'eye-provoking' elements; and, create a masterpiece. Mark ...this is excellent and beyond.
twistednoodle
omg this is sooo excellent - there is so much to look at here! Lots of attention to detail - this is superb! (My favourite genre too)
stbc
Love the loops of plasma near the horizon. Light and overlays darned good and postwork excellent.
redawg2
Masterpiece!
fractalinda
An amazing composition and render in all aspects. Outstanding work.
Dixiem47
Agree with Rich2 wonderful work
MaydaMason
impressive overlays and sky work! V
1pearl
Excellent picture !!!
superza
Exc scifi scene and terrific frontside surfacing! Cool!
Absinthe
Very nice image. I love the saturn like planet.
Kosmicman
Every Detail is wonderful
Lledeline
Great image. All is perfect.
superior
Splendid !!!! Very excellent scene ;)
doneydonydone
amazing * million!
Buzzzzz
Excellent Work Mark! Sci-fi Book Cover? :o)
WeeLaddie
Excellent sci-fi scene with superb overlays.
Hendesse
Looks outstanding. Excellent work!!!
gradient
super space scene...esp nice overlays!
bkhook
Sci-fi-tastic! I don't know how you get the quality you do in your work but this is awesome. The overlay thing just doesn't work for me and yours is excellent. Love the swirling (gasses?)
Orestes
Excellent space art Mark! The PW is top notch, but I think its the overlays that makes this one great. :)