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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (28)
Fahrenheit451
Magnificent!
fenixcats
I really like this one - great feeling to it!
Buzzzzz
Very Cool Fantacy Picture Mark!
lazydog
Great scene! I like the sunlight on the water especially. :)
twistednoodle
Wonderful surfacing and the lighting is awesome. Love the island terrain too - this is hard to get with a beach.
selkins16
Wow, this is too gorgeous!! I love the colors!
Fylbrigge
Well done!
christianfly
Very great mood on this one, even 3D clouds are well done!
fractalinda
Awesome colors, light and overall atmosphere. Fantastic trip!
Hythshade
Superbly done. The FOV works very well here. The colors and subtle placement of the terrain is perfect. Well done!!!
MaydaMason
impressive! i cannot understand! the glow is underwater? never seen something like this before! btw surfaces and terrain are superb!
gradient
love those colors, rays/glow and the cloud work.
superza
fantastic water reflections and white and green surfacing!!
1pearl
Wonderful work !!!
saeltari
I really like this. First thing my eyes did when I saw this was relax a bit. The colors and the composition are quite well thought out, very good!
Petra-S
Fantastic! Wonderful sky, atmo/light and colors, brilliant mood and super reflection in the water!V
jcruz
Great picture!!!
Dixiem47
twisted is right all the way on this one wonderful work Mark
Kosmicman
Super-Work!
morganbesh
Beautiful sunset atmosphere and sky colors! Lovely image!
Rich2
Wonderful work with lighting & shadow - the island is awesome itself! (...almost can hear "ze plane, ze plane!)
marcoantonio
AWESOME colors, terrain and atmosphere!!!! Super!!!
KiDAcE
Love that light off the water. Water bliss.
MFM008
Stunning- of of the best ive seen - especially in the use of colors.
stbc
Sheesh, Mark, this is so different and original. Killer colors and crispyness. This is a public vote from me. WOW
aarontyler
Wow! I love it all!!!!
choronr
'Fantasy Island' ...dee plane boss; where is dee plane?? Mark you have outdone yourself here ...this is pure creative beauty!!
Saurav
Excellent atmo and clouds.