Secret City 3-1

Secret City was an educational drawing program that aired on PBS in the late 80's and early 90's. It was hosted by Mark Kistler www.draw3d.com/

[@mariodesantiago2279]

I’ve been looking for these videos for like 10 years, I remember watching these in 2nd grade

[@RajaSandhu]

This man is the reason I am an artist/designer. It was only today, that I was trying to figure out where my fascination with 3D drawing began... So, deep into meditation, Commander Mark's moustache appeared in front of me and appeared to giggle... A short second later, it got sucked into a secret tunnel like a curious badger in a wormhole. This is when I knew eraser smell is a hallucinogen.

[@va7txr551]

I am now a designer at an animation studio. Today I was chatting with a coworker about old inspirations and I was trying to remember a show I watched as a young kid! I googled '80s drawing show' and the moment I saw Marks sweet jacket all the memories came back! I found it!

[@dandizzle4444]

Dude, absolutely. This show is weird as hell but I learned how to draw in perspective at like 4yo because it. Now a designer as well...can't overstate or quantify how much impact (and ROI, if we're being honest) this truly had.

[@smartcampify]

Me too!

[@RajaSandhu]

@@smartcampify 😃

[@drain_001]

Same, but I'm a mechanical engineer. Drawing still comes in handy though.

[@Ratt611]

Commander Mark came to my elementary school 35 years ago and it was amazing. Ty Commander!

[@eseoraka]

All the way in Nigeria, the early 80s. He was my very first art teacher. I actually remember this episode. I could draw endless 3D symmetrical shapes for days thanks to Commander Mark. Ah, memories 🎉

[@Gbolio]

Nostalgia mannn... Nostalgia! ❤❤❤

[@diamantedante]

Oh my gosh. I finally found proof I didn't dream this up as a kid. Thank you for posting this!

[@somarriba333]

Same here! I could not remember what the name of the show was.

[@brpadington]

Same here. I loved it but forgot the name or never knew it since I couldn't read much.

[@spyktehdaigon3293]

AH! After 15 years of not knowing what this show was, I finally found it!!!!

[@KristiLeeVan]

I'm 40 and I still draw his little furry aliens when I doodle. My brother and I watched his show at my grandma's house after school, along with reruns of Batman and Gilligan's Island. Those were the good ol' days!

[@hphp3455]

Watching this in 2023 flashback to my childhood - Boss ross and mark rocked it back then on pbs ... thank you to you both for making things come to life

[@buckster2575]

I remember those days.

[@BlackElon1]

im a grown ass man but seeing this again brings me back to when i was 9. I loved this show. i would sit in the living room every night this was on and would draw with him. he visited my school when i was in 4th grade. DAMN... time goes by fast... I miss those days

[@carlosr8788]

DUDEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Just found this as a 38 year old after having forgot about it! Used to watch this on TV when I was a little fella. He's such a goofie guy!!! Lol. This is better than Christmas! 😃

[@izyomomma9305]

Commander Mark was my hero as a kid. His drawings were amazing to me and his mustache was a thing to behold. My kid idea of a man’s man.

[@icebergmike27]

Everyone commenting below in nostalgia is over 35.

[@mannyrivas3954]

28

[@jhova187]

30,never realized how feminine this dude was til now lol

[@gracekeddy]

22!

[@rickbrousseau5372]

Yup

[@albertomorales7579]

Yes sir,I was addicted to this show

[@Evilestwendy]

I'm 49 and remember watching this at my grandparents house. Great childhood memory!

[@SPEEDPAINTER1]

I think it would blow away Commander Mark to know I've been a Concept Artist for over 20 years in motion pictures thanks to him. My love for drawing started right here.

[@amysmiles9751]

I watched these shows when I was a kid and always had an interest in Art. I went to school for Fashion design and now have a kid thats pretty good little artist. He wanted to draw together tonite and I told him about this show I use to watch, with a quick Google search I can't believe I find it and now my is glued screen learning techniques.

[@CardPhantom]

I used to watch this show all the time. It taught me alot about drawing.

[@heroslyfe]

THIS IS SO FREAKIN AWESOME! I USED TO WATCH THIS SHOW WHEN I WAS A KID. I WENT ON TO BECOME A COMIC BOOK ILLUSTRATOR!! ALL BECAUSE OF THIS SHOW! NOW MY DAUGHTER IS 6 AND TALENTED AS HECK. I CAN SHOW HER NOW!!!

[@akshonclip]

I took a summer camp class in San Diego when I was a kid. He was the instructor! I didn’t realize until years later when I saw him on PBS.

[@obaademiju]

"Draw, draw, draw, practice your drawing 20 to 30 minutes a day and stay in the super positive attitude and I'll be right back" After over 20 years since I watched the show last last, I can still quote his closing words.... how he has impacted me so much!

[@chibeauty]

This quote is how I found him.❤

[@Gbolio]

​@@chibeautySame! 🙋🏽

[@Mrsbunnybrooks]

He taught me more than even my college or highschool ever did. Im going back to him now to perfect my art after all these years!

[@burningheart2909]

This guy taught me how to draw perspective and shading when I was a kid, such a cool show! Ty for posting this legend 😎 🎨

[@Frank-gz3wp]

I Use To Love This Show As A Kid...

[@silent0502]

Love this show! The best. Miss shows like this

[@route51]

I woke up early Saturday mornings just to catch this. yes I'm in my mid thirties.

[@heroslyfe]

And the music was sooo awesome and surreal, ethereal. It was inspiring later subconsciously when I started producing music.

[@MyterTea]

I loved this show as a kid, and it taught me so much!

[@AGMYAlgonomy]

This man and his program mentored me in drawing...

[@IslandSwagVibe]

Brought back old memories! I watched him on PBS and he actually visited our school when I was in 6th grade at Mather Heights in Sacramento! Thanks PBS! I am 39 yrs old now and want to bring those

[@christopherlafferty2280]

Wow! This was my favorite show on PBS growing up!

[@nattaleeh987]

This is the best program. I used to watch this after school. I learned so much about perspective. So now when my kids ask me to draw something I thing back to this program and how he took simple shapes and turn them into 3d pictures. I love it. I am 38 and I still remember his lesson. PBS please consider airing this program again in the afternoon.

[@RyanMayer]

2019 and I'm telling my wife about "Draw, draw, draw and practice your drawing every day.". She thinks I'm still nuts but I am SO happy I found these. Always incredible and if/when we have a child, these will be videos I will share. Thanks for posting and the memories.

[@electronicpopshop]

This brings me way back. I use to be up early with my pencil and pad ready to draw with him.

[@marcushall6821]

Unbelievable! I haven't seen this in nearly 30 years! I remember spending the summer at my Grandparents home and my Grandmother used this show to encourage me to draw! She would sit and watch the show with me and I learned how to draw all kinds of stuff! I loved it! Wow! I feel like a kid all over again!

[@rodneyadderton1077]

I loved this show growing up. Awww the good ole days. I remember watching this episode. Awesome.

[@DrMurdercock]

This man is responsible for COUNTLESS artists now.

[@Thermalfiredotcom]

What a great show! I learned a lot from this man. Thank you Mark!

[@fineboykay]

thank you, thank you , thank you i still draw what i learnt from commander mark anytime am bored at work, in a lecture anywhere i just never forgot direction one and direction seven.

[@bankroll310]

Too bad programming like this could never exist with todays hyper kids :( This brought back great memories!

[@zekehooper]

This brings back memmories! I so loved this guy as a kid. he has had so much positive influance on people. When I see how old he looks now it is funny but he is still drawing and wearing those crazy costumes. LOL. He opened my imagination to so many things.

[@azazellon]

This dude is what got me into drawing I FINALLY FOUND THE SHOW i couldn't remember the name but when they had reruns of old episodes I'd come home after school and just sit and draw with him >w

[@KSAalto]

Every Sat morning my sister and I got up early just to watch this show and this is where we learn how to draw. I love this show!!!!! My sister was in the club! =)

[@somarriba333]

FINALLY! I knew this show existed but I could not remember what the name was. I just remember a guy in a astronaut suit drawing and then adding more things to a mural. I remember learning shading with my fingers with him. 😇

[@bryceshannenclother4657]

I love this guy and show!

[@jmkeller]

23 years since I've seen this show - it can't be that long ago!

[@No1_Inpa_Ticular]

I wondered where this moon bases I always draw and doodle came from. 26.00 is exactly what they look like. I vaguely remember this show. I was young but the style and ability to draw 3d shaped structures was obviously learned from this and remains long past other memories

[@aleeyore]

I spent hours watching this show! What great memories!

[@mooky9669]

Haven't seen this in years!!! Thanks so much for bringing this back...

[@ddblue0]

Who does not love Mark Kistler and the Secret City!! :D Awesome. To this day I use his techniques when I draw!

[@oliverthedog5619]

i learned so much from commander mark it was like art school for free

[@secretcity826]

I have more episodes of this show over on my channel, and more coming soon. First every episode included. I just wish my quality was as good as this one!

[@willarms5510]

SC, I may be able to help you fill in some gaps. Please contact me!

[@GastroGreen]

Great educational programming. I learned a lot too

[@johnclintonlopez]

Loved this show as a kid!

[@80sHitz]

Man! I'm really excited that I found this show, I love it. I never forgot about it; however, over the years I did manage to forget what it was called. I'm an Artist now and this show sparked my creativity and inspired me to pursuit Art for a living. Thanks for posting this.

[@morningrise]

@guterbol me too... I am amazed that someone posted so much of it... I am forever indebted to the poster of this!

[@631strongislandkid]

I'm 38 and I remember this! All the martians and stuff!

[@mrcochino281]

strong island im 37...i remember all that too haha...martians and space ships and ufos...i actually remember this exact episode haha

[@sonicleaves]

I'm 36, I just looked this up today and YES the aliens, loved them!

[@evaurrutia9777]

I remember ... My mom would make sit and watch this show with her I love it...

[@1914sweet]

Commander Mark rocks! I only wish he'd been there when that ignorant art teacher told me I could never be an artist because I had no natural talent!

[@texagg01]

WOW!!! I thought I would never find this show again! I can't believe there are episodes on here now. Holy crap! I used to be obsessed with this show!!!

[@akdragon]

Has it been that long ago? Dang I remember this guy. I always thought he was a little out there. I always wanted to draw back then.

[@icebergmike27]

oh man. This show was great. My dad almost made us watch it all the time. He bought a big roll of paper so we could follow along. They need to bring this show back

[@jenvargas]

OMG!!!! Commander Mark!! I thought I was the only one who remembered him!! Yay PBS!! Thank you SO much for sharing this! I used to watch him, Square One Television and Zoobilee Zoo when I was a kid!

[@rmg2768]

Thanks for posting this video! Good times - I had forgotten where I first learned to draw perspective and solid shapes freehand, but this video reminded me. Many doodles through grade and high school were based on this show.

[@ravager48]

Same! We need shows like this back.It saddened me when this and Imagination Station went off the air...

[@chronofusion]

ah...memories..I was a kid and this show taught me a good deal about drawing..thank ya much for the video man

[@hurricane567]

Mark Kistler is going to be at the 2016 New Orleans Comic Con

[@artisanrox]

I learned to draw perspective and basic material folds (he showed how to draw a flag in the wind one episode) from this show. Commander Mark was the awesomest!!!!!

[@vice86]

Sitting on my couch tonight, for some reason, i wondered what happened with the dude from the drawing show I used to watch as a kid...couldn't remember the name but then Commander Mark popped in my head. Wow, memories watching this video. I'm 41 now but it feels like i just watched this show yesterday. 80's porn stash for the win.

[@montewoods7215]

OMG!!!! i LOVE COMMANDER MARK!!!!

[@haruruben]

this was such an inspirational show.

[@moobyghost]

I loved this show as a kid. I miss quality educational programing.

[@melodynote333]

He came too our elementary school Sammons Elementary in Houston Tx, 1990 i was 8 years old.

[@SillyLittleMunky]

So many memories. Coolness.

[@kyleherrity8443]

amazing drawing

[@jrbeso]

ALL SO TRUE!!! It was like waking up in 1980 something!!!!

[@ObriMensah]

i remember Commander Marrk coming to my elementary school in texas

[@sbranco12]

God, I remember that green hand. Classic...cracks me up.

[@tinasavoiefaire]

@guterbol same here! I tried explaining it to my husband and he thought I was nuts!! I squealed like a three year old girl when I found this!! My husband still thinks I'm nuts. But this show was freakin' awesome!! I wanna go draw a secret city now!

[@lizziepop3425]

Omg I love this

[@BEATLESman1988]

what a great man

[@luisvalenzuela9321]

Gracias al programa ciudad secreta y comandar mark soy un artista escultor muchas gracias de nueva cuenta por inspirarme saludos

[@fibreoptik]

@crazynacho25 Ya, these shows totally kicked ass. I miss them a lot :/

[@nieshamccoy9419]

I used to watch Secret City wishing I could draw like that.

[@marklister5300]

I love commander mark. I proudly have two convictions for graffiti.

[@AdiraRotstein]

He should be more famous than Bob Ross!

[@nicholashughes4342]

Dream it,draw it,do it, be blessed all in Jesus shalom

[@wendydomino]

I met him briefly at Trader's Village Comic Con

[@danasaur4]

I'm taking one of his nationwide art camps in a week Still doing what he loves, apparently :3

[@allrequiredfields]

dude, that intro song is fucking killer

[@orion1052003]

Thanks very much. "Draw, Draw, Draw, practice your Drawing" from Zebtron (Ha)

[@renegadeaccordion]

Is that what that green thing is? This show was ridiculous(ly great)

[@uhavemooface]

Is this the guy that made that 3D city? I think I use to watch this. I am not sure though. I was born in the 70's so I know I seen this show I just wanted to know if this is the same guy who drew that 3D city?

[@houstonedit]

If you grew up with the Commander, check out Pt. 1 of my new cartoon Return of the Commander. It guest stars Mark Kistler himself!

[@Glock_Lesn4r]

the real cindy would have ripped mark's head off of his shoulders for that kind of remark. brave man. 80's mic levels are epic too. the nose breathing on cindy and zeb are unparalleled.

[@farfisa5]

Long live Commander Mark! I still remember the address for The Secret City kit/fanclub: PO Box 444 Moraga, CA 94518 Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. HAH!

[@markedwards6086]

I learned how to draw from this show

[@ChrisSmullen]

I FORGOT ABOUT THIS SHOW!

[@CaptainArlo]

what are direction 1 and direction 7?

[@morningrise]

@oxjox me too.... my life is complete!

[@FriPilot]

It's a long intro! I wonder if that was by design to A. Get Kid's attention, and B. Give them time to get paper and pens.

[@qorprincess]

@heroslyfe thats awesome!!