Secret City 1-1

[@donjones6852]

Loved this show as a kid. Then suddenly one day, it was off the air. I would watch it while at my grandmother's house during the summer. It came on after "Reading Rainbow."

[@chuckringler3963]

Loved this show when i was young back in the early 80s

[@gorkskoal9315]

^^^^ You bet! it was cool, and fire AF!

[@jordanzinser8248]

He actually visited my school as a kid! I don't draw but when i do, i use what he taught me.

[@honeyvitagliano3227]

Same!!

[@kevinknight9950]

Learning in the 80,s was very fluid for me.even this show I was learning to draw since 1982.it was exciting.

[@mistrimeat]

If someone would have told me 30 years ago I'd be shaking hands and talking to Commander Mark, I'd have called them a liar...but it happened today. I met him at a book signing. Super guy. One of my childhood heros for sure.

[@cyberdelicxp9125]

This show is the reason I'm an Art teacher today. Thank you , Mark.

[@cash5627]

Do you teach your pupils some of the same principals he taught on the show? It would be so cool if you did. : )

[@psyberdelicxp6042]

@@cash5627 i do. i teach at a non profit, volunteer in my town as an art teacher. and my favorite students are troubled youth in my town. in addition to the fundamentals of drawing, perspective, forms, contour, etc. when i have them design characters and environments i have them consider the culture and needs, physics, and biology. let logic inform thier choices....if that's a craft, what is it used for?> is it made from salvaged or invented parts? what's its energy source? does your creature/ character need eyes if it evolved in darkness, etc? it leads to very imaginative yet grounded projects. but for real. i thanked Captain Mark on one of his live streams, for his work back then. i told him im paying it forward.

[@ZeranZeran]

He's the reason I started drawing and sketching! That's so cool May you pass on his lessons :) he totally taught me how to draw a 3D shape which blew my mind as a kid!

[@Axolotl_Mischief]

As both an 80 kid and a young artist, I loved this show. Takes me back...

[@kevinknight9950]

Him,and Bob Ross were a kick to watch.

[@beautymomvlogger9273]

I watched this show growing up as a kid all the way in Nigeria! Thanks for posting!! I'm 39 and I still draw those aliens peeking out for my kids now and they think I'm an art genius :-)

[@kenneth8434]

Same here! I've always had artistic company around me. My elder bro and I draw very well, our kinsman from the hometown taught us how to draw Hulk Hogan and the profile of the human face. Then there's Chris of Lineguage studio who taught me many other things about drawing but I couldn't match his talent. Taught himself 3D and worked on mobile games with Jason Njoku. Our youngest not old enough to know this show is even a better artist than I am. Big reveal is that we got this talent from our Mom (who strongly discouraged us from drawing when we were kids)! She's currently an art teacher in a top private school in Lagos. Thank you Commander Mark.

[@dgwebguy6815]

2021 - and its still one of the best drawing shows, ever. Use to sit as a kid with my younger brother, and our pads, and draw every week.

[@ohhyuuken]

It's amazing looking back on this show now at 35 years old. Commander Mark is the reason why I went into digital effects and animation. Awesome show. Awesome memories.

[@Joviex]

Same here. I owe my pursuit of drawing, animation and art appreciation to this guy. Commander Mark, I work @ Nickelodeon, because of your inspiration. Cheers.

[@RobertWeir]

I remember I wrote to him as a kid and he got back to me ! The absolute best 👍

[@rodneyadderton1077]

I hope Commander Mark knows how much he influenced us and how much he is appreciated. If you ever read this Commander, you're the man now dog!

[@voskresene]

Dude, it's like I'm 8 years old all over again. I used to love this show!

[@trublgrl]

Commander Mark was the best teacher ever! I remember teachers in my school in Art and Music who talked to us like we were really not able to do anything great. Commander Mark NEVER insulted the kids, he TAUGHT us the concepts, and said: "DO YOUR BEST". I never felt anything in art was beyond me, and when I took drafting in HS, I was WAY beyond most because I understood the magic words and that stuff affects me everytime I put pencil to paper!

[@taradetchemendy2844]

I loved this show as a kid!

[@lupowins]

Damn! I LOVED this show when I was a kid. Why aren't their more interactive shows like this today? So many kids watched him, and he was a great teacher.

[@catmanjr3609]

I watched him as a child now I'm an art teacher thanks too you god bless you for my childhood.

[@robinchilds256]

I loved this show as a kid in the 80s. My daughter is a very good artist and said she wanted to find art lessons. I immediately thought of this show and was so glad I found it! Mark Kistler is an amazing teacher! Can't wait to show her his videos.

[@shannonevans8493]

This is how i first learned to draw as a child. I am now 44 and I still remember his name. Thank you commander mark for your dedication to teaching children.

[@ruggiebuggie3195]

Drawing on a glass wall in front of the camera is such a clever idea. Almost looks like he’s just drawing on the air in front of him like magic.

[@coloneljawoof6832]

I sat in starry eyed fascination watching you draw in the 80s. Never got to see the finished product of the larger mural that was added to each week. Wonderful childhood memory. Thank you! 😁

[@RachelleMarsdensd]

I LOVED THIS SHOW when I was a kid!!!! Got up at 6am just to watch him!!!

[@sad_doggo2504]

I watched this religiously as a kid. Having this positive role model in my life probably helped me way more than I know

[@AndyDillbeck]

This brings back memories. I got dad to find me a huge drawing board like he had so I could draw my own city. I may still have a couple episodes on vhs somewhere. So much awesome

[@zeapod]

I am 34 and def love this show!!!! Zoom cloud

[@cristobalite83]

I remember watching this man draw as a child years ago and I was always in awe of his gift and ability to draw things so good. Even now that I'm 40yrs old, I'm still taken aback. What an artist 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@technofeeliak]

Yes, this is a blast from the past... I watched this guy for years as a kid and he taught me some basic drawing techniques but even more importantly he inspired me to draw draw draw every day... Thanks Commander Mark... I hope life is treating you well.

[@ButternutSquaization]

Was just telling my kids about this show. I had my own giant space scene that I would add to every day! "Draw draw draw draw, about 30 minutes a day..." Man, that brings back memories. Thanks for posting!

[@trish1763]

He came to my school when I lived in Katy, TX in 3rd grade. I loved this show and was so thrilled when he came to our school back then. 40 yrs old now. Wow I am getting old. Lol

[@hawaiidispenser]

I TOTALLY learned so many rules and shortcuts of drawing (perspective, shading, etc) by watching Mark as a kid. LOVED this show so much!!!

[@shirleyhowell3467]

omg! i cant believe anybody else watched his show. it was my fave!! thanks for posting every episode and then some!!

[@ethompson9107]

I used to watch this show religiously when I was a kid

[@MrGossardX]

I used to watch this, my Art teacher Mrs. Hunovice told us to watch it, it was really good.

[@sunnypatel166]

Omg this show…. Was glue to it…. The mural was epic!!!

[@MrMagnethart]

I used to watch this show all the time when I was a kid! I learned so much and still use the techniques in drawing today. He came to my home town once and did some art classes for kids. It was great. Thanks for posting.

[@ghydle]

This show was a trip! So glad to find it again and look back at what life was like being 8 years old.

[@Dulcimerist]

I was watching this dude's brand new PBS show, and thought I recognized him from this old show that I loved as a kid! What an awesome blast from the past! I'm watching his new show on TV while watching this KZbin video! I wish he would still wear a cool uniform with pen holders, rather than the suspenders he is wearing right now in the present day...

[@burlyjer]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THESE! This man made me wanna be an artist.

[@markusalan85392]

I first saw this show when i was in 4th grade. My mom just moved us to a small town. I became really good at drawing after learning commander marks techniques. Great wholesome memories.

[@ne113]

Awe man! I used to watch this all the time as a kid. Commander Mark was the man.

[@BradMaestas]

This was one of my favorite shows as a kid. My mom was a decent artist and even she learned some stuff when we watched it together. I do the occasional drawing now and then but whenever I watch this it gets me fired up just like the first time I saw it! We need more shows like this again.

[@rootbeer_666]

I only got to see like one episode of this show because I was never around when it was on. But I remember it so well, and I totally missed out on the rest of it, for sure. I like how Commander Mark seems genuinely excited about what he’s showing us.

[@neighbourinblack]

What a brilliant program this was. This was what inspired me to draw and develop a lot of the artistic skills I have today. He also had a great show called Imagination Station as well which was awesome.

[@elldog00]

thanks, for putting these up, they really take you back. I had forgotten about those alien/dragon hands that came down over the sketch pad

[@neyazsyed]

loved this show soo much as a kid...brings so many memories...Thank you for posting it here. 😊❤❤

[@swordandscale]

Wow, this takes me back! I still remember learning how to draw as a kid watching these!

[@elexsor]

Thank you for posting these. I used to watch these when I was younger. Helped to foster my imagination and inspire me to draw draw draw. Kids need more shows like these today.

[@Amaryce]

I absolutely LOVED this show as a kid! I want all of these, my kids NEED to learn from Mark.

[@theringwermchannel]

Brings back such great memories, back when TV was more innocent and educational with shows on PBS, like this and "Reading Rainbow". Thanks so much for posting these!

[@IronMikeDyson1979]

This show got me into gifted and talented art class.in school. And learned to draw murals, thank you mark😊

[@swaddell78]

I still love this all these years later!

[@czntrm]

That's great to see so many people who remember his show! Brings back good memories and warm fuzzies and his enthusiasm re-ignites my love of kooky drawing like when I was a kid. Now I can share with my kids! ART ATTACK! Draw, draw, draw, draw!

[@Axolotl_Mischief]

Yeah this is awesome. As an 80s kid this is a great nostalgic revisitation...not surprised to see how many were influenced by this show.

[@keithvnumber1]

Draw draw draw and draw some more!!! I LOVED HIM!!! I wanted his finished mural so badly!!

[@agedinthesun6689]

I saw this show once as a kid and it made me want to draw. I still remember, a good teacher is never forgetten.

[@mykestyle]

I've tried to remember the name of this forever! He definitely inspired and taught me things as a kid. Helped me get to where I am today as well! :)

[@NaTaS-]

I met him 1989. Great guy. Did a convo at our school and I drew a picture for him and he showed it on his TV show :)

[@alecfras]

The world lost when this show was cancelled.

[@nutflush76]

I loved this show as a kid and now my kids can learn from it too!

[@Brian_Buckley]

This man was a MAGICIAN to me growing up! I am 31 and still use his techniques to this day!

[@aopajay]

WOW, this takes me back to a better time !

[@CCSLASH1]

growing up, i looked up to 2 artists! commander mark and bob ross! 2 amazing people! great teachers!!

[@livetolovesome182]

oh thank you i have been trying to find this show for my 6 yr old i wanted to show him what i use to watch when i was around his age

[@dutchinklettering405]

I use to watch this show as a kid every morning. Now 43 I’m a tattoo artist. Life’s a trip

[@bluephoenix383]

can't believe this was about 30 years ago .damn I'm getting old. i still remember Draw,Draw,Draw!!

[@RobertWeir]

Practice your drawing 20 to 30 minutes a day and I'll see you next time !

[@PtotheMtotheK]

Possibly the most underrated show ever to appear on television. Children these days could benefit tremendously from a positively engaging program like this, instead of all their garbage tik-tok etc.

[@FatesWhimttv]

Mark got me into drawing, and got me super excited about it, I also have shown lots of people how to draw. I use these techniques in everyday life, explaining things to people im able to sketch out a quick sketch in 3-d with 2 point persperctive and 3 point perspective as well. I only got to see the show when i skipped school sadly, but You literally were my main inspiration to keep drawing

[@kevingarcia_com]

Holy crap... I remember drawing chains like that religiously... forgot I got it from this show.

[@k2datrack]

men i was like 8yrs old...we used to watch this in nigeria...now i draw comics(as a hobby)...Nice stuff. i remeber he used to always say somethin like "...draw draw draw... practice 24hours a day" or somethin... wow!

[@melisnAk]

Thankyou! I was obsessed with this show as a kid everyday after school ❤ and the only other ones on youtube are really bad quality and tracking. I do wish they were full episodes. But appreciate your effort and time😊

[@coystrill]

I was always worried one of the markers in his bandolier would explode and cause a horrible chain reaction. For all its corniness, the Secret City encouraged creativity and Commander Mark was a good teacher.

[@alvinjones670]

Terrific show I remember this as a kid thanks!!! Good ✍ memories!!!

[@wackyruss]

This guy was awesome. I hear he's still teaching summer art camps here in Houston Texas... if only I had children and/or still a child myself...!!!

[@FlamestrixWindfyre]

OMG! I have been looking for proof of this show for years...Thanks for posting!! :-)

[@DrLove0378]

I *thought* I remembered a program called "The Secret City" -- so I WASN'T just dreaming about it... I could use some techniques, so I'll definitely stick around and watch.

[@livingfoul4305]

Wow I was just a moment ago remembering this show and trying to figure out what it was called..love youtube

[@arlichar11]

wow...i still use techniques i learned from this... i didnt realize then i wa learning stuff just was fun..i always thought this guy was dork.. great memories i would nevr have rembered the name of this..thanks 4 post

[@dees6188]

I remember Mark in 6th grade assembly at my school, teaching us all of this.

[@AddieStarr]

brings back the memories!!

[@Icarusdecending82]

I would not know how to draw a cube if it werent for Commander Mark.

[@jjhorger]

I remember this! Part of why I enjoy drawing in perspective!

[@ewoknips5154]

This show is the 80s in a nutshell, I love it! Makes me feel like a kid again

[@xedra]

Wow, this brings back memories! My high school art teacher knew Commander Mark.

[@FB_5555]

OMG thanks for posting these!!!

[@wackyruss]

@rptaylor11 That is awesome that you were on his show! I had the pleasure of meeting him at his summer art camps as a kid.

[@OmnivoricDragon]

Unfortunately I was born after this series was canceled, but I have so many fond memories of his series during the nineties: Imagination Station.

[@mizfidget]

Oh wow! I have been looking for this for years. Everyone claims that I have a natural born talent but I doubt I could do what I can do now if this guy wasn't on the air. I've been drawing since I was 4 and my foundation started here. I have only ever met one person that remembers this show!!

[@adkitchen]

I like to think the success I've had with my creative career started with this show.

[@zeapod]

Amen to that bro. I can hand paint on cakes because of this dude !!!!!!! Love this show!!!!!

[@themsquaredgroup]

I posted the same thing

[@clockwork3991]

Used to watch this all the time!

[@tyerober]

I have created all kinds of art through my years, even bought my wife's engagement ring by selling drawings.....I owe it all to commander Mark!

[@lbjohnnyjohn]

These were my first lessons. Until i got older and found an artist to force into teaching me his ways.

[@GeekyRebel]

Thanks for uploading this

[@RoyFan33]

Oh. My. God. LOOK at that jacket... I wish I'd been born a little earlier so I could have watched this. D:

[@MrClifftonChandler]

Bob Ross got all the credit-- but this show was the one that made me into an artist.

[@casualslax]

I loved this show. I used to add on to my future city for months! But I could have sworn at the beginning of the video he said, "and a special 'R' word and that's 'Symmetry'!"

[@macorte1972]

I remember watching this when it first came out as a kid.

[@kimbaptempura4073]

HOLY SHIT I USED TO WATGCH THIS DUDE! He was so inspiring!

[@lakechamp529]

Omg my childhood

[@IbisFernandez]

The reason i picked up a pencil. I went on to enjoy a long and successful career as an animator thanks to this guy who got me started so long ago.

[@philrivera1120]

PBS in the 80's had the classic shows

[@jC-kc4si]

Yeah.. Today's pbs kids shows seem very bland in comparison.

[@ronchorivera]

Wow. This is just as fun to watch now as when i was 5.

[@kludd28]

"Super Positive!!" I remember watching this show daily & thinking it was great. I am pretty sure tho' that Cmdr. Mark drove my Mom crazy, he does lay it on a little thick, but then I was his target audience, not my Mom. Thanks for posting!

[@larrywonnacott2628]

I wish I known this years ago, I never knew about this ever . Great Vid 👍

[@jwrath7]

This show was formative for me as a kid.

[@paradyne1T101]

I remember this!!!...oh the days when they use to have great shows that would teach kids how to use their own imagination!! sad how those days are gone now.

[@arthurjeremypearson]

I was obsessed with this show when I was a kid. Became an artist. That said, I'm going to put partial blame on this guy's moustache for peoples' interest in furries.

[@ilovetortillas]

this guy was awesome :)