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 I use an outdated Dell Pentium 4, 1.4GHZ, running Windows XP.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 (39)
bluedarkmoon
Very beauthiful and breathless image...
DeathTwister
Amazing bro
Petra-S
Fantastic light, colors and underwatertextur!
RGUS
Nice caustics in the liquid methane... perfect image!
artgum
All my favorite shades of blue- super caustics in the water!
janedj
Beautiful image...Fantastic clear colors!!!!Hugs Jane
Black Rain
amazing place !
Chipka
Wonderful sense of color and clarity! This is a beautiful composition on numerous different levels. Fantastic work!
Savage_dragon
Very special. Love it! ")
sglfx
Very good lighting!
odile
Neptune: the other blue planet ! Your "blues" are really great!
X-PaX
Another fine render. The water looks excellent. Well done.
alf15000
You have already posted it, no ? It is better, with fewer "sharpen" ;)
Majorgaine Online Now!
Successful underwater sunreflections...well done!
Plantagenaut
Markal, you have once again, created a masterpiece well beyond mortal reply! I am truely a fan!
theconqueror
Superb image..well done...Yes, there is water over there....NASA where are you... :-)
faroutsider
Wonderful image! Top drawer.
Sentinelle
Didn't realize neptune could be so dreamy. Love the beautiful, vivid blue colors.
OrphanedSoul
Your Terragin work is amazing!
clam73
what can I say.....gorgeous!!! 5+++++
shantay
A scenic and beautiful landscape, looks very alien!
twistednoodle
Love the feel of the "old" tg! NICE WATER! Love the lunarcell moons - that program is fabbo! And good ol' PSP I thought I was the only dinosaur using it! Fabo image all round - this is excellent.
emailandthings
looks familiar :)
Rich2
You ought to be in the sci-fi poster business - ! But it looks like you enjoy yourself enough. Nice work again! Now do one of the next planet sunward - you know...
choronr
A glowing beauty!!!
Dotthy
wonderful work!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blitzz-Licht
very beautiful work
KatesFriend
The scene looks like it is raining light. Impressive.
Darkwish
Really cool work! EXT pic!
Patapon
Wonderbar ! The light...