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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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.Â
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 (34)
doarte
Spectacular planet-scape! Applause +5 from doarte's MADHOUSE
necrophage
amazing sci-fi landscape!
alessimarco
Nice view of the planet! Excellent work!
bloodnok
Nice one
shayhurs
Very nice!
A_Joker_B
Great render!
gerberc
Wow, this sure has impact! Fabulous space art!
xpersona
Wow!!!! Piękna scena i koloryt. Przy powiększeniu jest doskonale piękna, Pięknie wykonana praca Bardzo dobry obraz i styl wykonania. Pozdrawiam miło.
Naoo
-- BRAVO --
egehlin
A fantastic space scene...landscape and planet are both spectacular!! Bravo!!!
Seaview123
Great looking space scene. Nice work on this picture.
Danny_G
Excellent Markal, Like the colors and shadow play
EyeOfTheBeholder
Stunning image,nicely lit.
phfrancke
wonderful detail and composition - excellent job!
NefariousDrO
That is fantastic, an awe-inspiring scene.
9841007
Very nice!
Chaosphoto
Nice, wish I was there :)
mikeerson
the ring makes me think of a circular saw - wonder if there are any rotating planets out there that saw through others = interesting thought, huh? Welcome!
starfire777
Fantastic image and POV of Uranus and excellent landscape!!!
masonspappy
Great other-wordly effect!
grafikeer
Great composition and lighting,excellent terrain work!
choronr
One of your best Space works. Those surfaces are very well done and are extraordinary.
geirla
Great terrain and space scene!
peedy
Fantastic scene. Great lighting. Corrie
LindaMcC
The lighting is to die for. Fantastic composition, Mark, and I love the colors and night sky. Most excellent!
DreamersWish
Wow that is just gorgeous work! I also agree with Linda. Well done!
Dotthy
wonderful landscape!!!!!!!!!
prutzworks
Another 'Bonetell' beautiful!
KatesFriend
It reminds me of the speculative artistry of many an astronomy text I studied growing up.
X-PaX
Very nice sci-fi work Mark.