The Secret City Mural

[TICKxCHICK]

I learned to draw from "The Secret City"- absolutely loved it (and Commander Mark <3 ) as an early/pre teen... he's one of the few people that have made a strong positive impact in my life, which has been deeply appreciated, especially at that age...

I even had my Secret City club membership kit (that was so exciting to get in the mail!), and made my own full-sized Secret City mural in my room, right along with every episode! d(^_^)

[projektcancer]

Commander Mark single handedly made drawing cool for young Nigerians growing up in the 80s....draw,draw draw..practice your drawing!!!

[shadette0823]

I remember watching you draw this. I am 35 now and it's because of you draw loved to draw. Thanx for the good times.

[MrMetalslinger]

One day this mural will be worth more than any Picasso piece ever. You are the best Mark! Thanks for all of the great childhood memories.

[uhavemooface]

I remember watching you draw that mural I was born in the 70's and was absolutely glued to the tv when you showed up. I was going to be a great artist until I just quit. But recently about two months I think I have brought it back. I am now trying to draw 3D drawings along with real life stuff as well. I hope to see a lot more of your drawings.

[genesogreen]

I recently rediscovered Secret City quite by accident, and the ensuing wave of nostalgia was incredible. Suddenly, my detail-oriented art style had an inspiration to which I could point. I remember watching this show with intense concentration and devotion, and finding it again is like coming home. I've now introduced it to my son, a promising artist in his own right. Thanks so much, Mark.

[2K4VENM]

You ROCK Commander Mark! Me and my lilttle brother used.to love watching your show back in the 80's! Never did get to see the completed mural till now! Simply AAAAwesome! I learned how to 3D from your magical teachings! Thanks for the memories!

[Just1Spark]

I lived for your show Mr. Kistler! Thank you!! Kids need more of that kind of learning today.

[kxmode]

Thank you Commander! You helped me learn how to draw. I was 7 when I watched your show. :)

[ltldog2]

Thank you Mark for your inspiration! You were one of my first crushes too, hee hee.

[lktolaff]

I watched you as a kid, and you inspired me to keep drawing, and I just wanted to say thank you.

[Melanizm]

I remember this like it was yesterday! Thank you Mark! You further inspired me to draw. I LOVED this show!

[rafaelmc76]

After seeing this after so many years, and after cleaning up some tears, i just want to say thank you!!!, You inspired me as a kid to continue my passion for drawing, i just wish todays generations had more shows like these. Again Thanks!!!

[SirMildredPierce]

Do you have a hi-res version of this on the internets somewhere? Used to watch this show all the time when I was a kid. Would love to look over this on my own time, maybe even print out a copy of it to hang on my kid's wall :)

[WIKKEDCHUCK]

Mark Kistler i just want to say Thank You. You touched my life profoundly

[starstar1a]

A drawing show me and my brother watched as kids =) Dude its 3D! This is back when Tv was Tv.

[starstar1a]

A drawing show me and my brother watched as kids =) Dude its 3D! This is back when Tv was Tv.

[planetdarwin]

This thing has been floating around in my subconscious for 25 years. I can't think of a good way to explain how completely weird it is to see and recall this. It's like a 10 on the richter scale of nostalgia.

[elowsky]

I'm watching these videos with my 3 yr old who is drawing as I type, thanks Mark, I learned a lot from your shows as a child and now I'm an art director, you rule.

[citythatbreeds]

I can't express how profoundly this mural and your show affected me as a child. Its influence was so strong to me I started tearing up when I watched this video. Thanks so much Mark

[cleantones]

Thanks for uploading this Mark! I used to watch your show all of the time. You were really inspirational. A creative kick in the pants! I'm going to have to dig through YouTube a bit for some nostalgia.

[Dante8309]

Man, I would LOVE to have a print of this. So many childhood memories!

[ruqsaq]

Have you ever offered this as a wall poster? Some company out there could scan this thing and make prints of it. My kids would love it! I'd buy one!

[superharts]

I watched Secret City every day as a kid growing up in rural Alaska. Mom even had a large sheet of butcher paper in my room so I could make my own Secret City. Now, I'm sitting here with my eight year old daughter watching Secret City videos and talking about art....thank you, Commander!!!

[4QBUD]

I can say that when I found the Secret City show on PBS when I lived in Northern Virginia, it instantly became mine and my children's favorite. I learned to draw from my Mother and my Children from me AND Commander Mark! Your show is GREAT and I want to thank you for giving us so much in the lessons you taught. We all play a game where someone will draw a random line or shape and then someone else would make something out of it. It's so much more fun since we learned things we had from the shows

[veryscaredbunny]

It's wonderful to see the finished Secret City. I grew up watching Commander Mark and loved his show! Like others, I would love for this show to be on DVD to show to my kids! Thank you Commander Mark for your love of drawing and for helping me learn to draw as a kid!

[veryscaredbunny]

It's wonderful to see the finished Secret City. I grew up watching Commander Mark and loved his show! Like others, I would love for this show to be on DVD to show to my kids! Thank you Commander Mark for your love of drawing and for helping me learn to draw as a kid!

[veryscaredbunny]

It's wonderful to see the finished Secret City. I grew up watching Commander Mark and loved his show! Like others, I would love for this show to be on DVD to show to my kids! Thank you Commander Mark for your love of drawing and for helping me learn to draw as a kid!

[kapustoad]

To say that I loved this show would be a vast understatement. Thanks Captain Mark!!!

[eyeeaster]

mark kistler had the dope ass stache! stache mania!

[oldmansutton]

Just saw the Imagination Station on tv today, and The Secret City came flooding back. This mural was almost singlehandedly responsible for my love of drawing. So nostalgic right now, and wanting to pick up a pencil and paper again! =)

[TickleTron2000]

Will you ever release your Secret City out to DVD?

Or did you already do that, and I just don't know about it?

[MisterTorgo]

this mural brings back all kinds of great memories of watching Secret City after school and learning to find the fun in drawing . I always wanted to do a mural like this but never found the time...but it makes me feel great to see this masterpiece again. Thanks for everything, Mark!

[pyannaguy]

Mark! It's very kind of you to take time to respond. Thanks a million! Bruce McIntyre - of course! I'm going to see if I can get his book, as a souvenir, from Amazon or somewhere. I've turned 2 houses "upside down" looking for my original copy. I can't believe it "got away from me."

I signed on for your course the other day (36 mo/$99 - a darn GOOD deal!).

Wish the famous Secret City mural (on YouTube) was gettable in some format. Meanwhile, we should start our own, Right?

Thanks, again!

[pyannaguy]

Help?! Mark's great, but predating him a bit was a great little book that included many of the exact foundational exercises and lessons that Mark incorporated and passed on (some might say, "lifted," but i don't mean anything derogatory.)

It was my textbook in a Community College Drawing course I took years ago and, Darn it! I misplaced it! It was authored by a cool artist whose name I can't remember. I'd be so happy if someone here is familiar and could help me find it somewhere. Anybody?

[MarkKistler]

The authors name is Bruce McIntyte, my mentor and elementary art teacher. His inspired teaching touched many lives, he was a major influence in igniting my passion for art education and mission to teach children the power of creativity.

....Mark Kistler

[BHunter86]

Mr. McIntyre was my elemenrty school drawing teacher at Jefferson Elementry in Carlsbad. To this day I find my using the techniques he taught me when I was younger.

[johntuckerCANTdie472]

I can't believe i have foregotten this show!Your show is what got me to drawing in the first place. Now that I've seen some of your skids,flood of memories is comming back. thanks so much for the art!

[mjkorbel]

@MarkKistler

This is one of my top finds on YouTube. Not only did you (Mark Kistler) ignite my passion for drawing (and at a super young age, just as Bruce McIntyte did for you), but also my entire love for the arts. I can hold your teachings and my supportive parents solely responsible for shaping my career path and my entire outlook on life.

[nixuser69]

@pyannaguy

The people that might say "lifted" would miss the point. The concepts that were taught on The Secret City by Commander Mark is age old design/art theory. Mark took those important concepts and presented it in a format that was a good method for teaching a young audience. Was both entertaining and high on educational value. Many of the concepts taught, at least back then, often were only introduced in a more progressive high school art program or at college level.

[pyannaguy]

@nixuser69 Agreed, and "lifted" wasn't meant, necessarily, as a pejorative. It's just that I recognized lots of his examples as being drawn and almost exactly presented in the manner of his teacher, Bruce McIntyre (which Mark acknowledged in a subsequent post). Obviously, the principles didn't originate with BM, either, but his books and Telecourses went quite a ways with introducing (or reinforcing) them for lots of people who might not have found them otherwise.

Thanks for your time...

[Ripplin]

I love that mural and how a bit was added to it each episode. It contains so many of the foundations of drawing, too. Very, very nice.

Where can I buy a full-size print? ;)

[rezzy123]

i want one too rip!

[pfizzbones]

I couldn't wait until I heard those words, "I'm Commander Mark, and this is the Secret City!" Wow, I started a mural of my own, too, with papers taped together. Still have it.  Wow, great tips, Mark. I still remember foreshortening and crosshatching to this day!

[crossdck2]

I can't believe how much of this mural I actually remember seeing Mark draw!! I even had my OWN mural. (granted, much of it was an imitation of Mark's, but it still sits in my boyhood room in my parents' house!) This was a great trip down memory lane!

[karimermaid]

this brings back so many great memories! Even when I draw now, i remember little things from the show. I would love to have it on dvd!

[MsTinimini]

I love it! - And, I would like to know the way how I can draw a secret city by myself? It looks very difficult for a beginner - but I love it so much! I write stories, and so I would like to begin to create my own pictures to them - well, but, I have a lot to learn now :)! I have bookmarked you, so I can find you back in the future! I will check out your video lessons now.

Have a wonderful day, and thank you for your tuts here, greetings from Germany; *Katrin*

[lonewulf2009]

Commander effen Mark! I've finally found it the secret city its like I got lost and came home secret city is my home I drew so many secret citys I still do. I have some on my facebook @ jered lawday. This show was the best ever. I'm with the others SECRET CITY ON DVD!!! SECRET CITY ON DVD!!! U effen rock commander mark effen ROCK BUDDY!!!!

[disconnect4]

your message of "draw draw draw.. "made me not stop drawing. i still can't stop. thank you. `;) you rock.

[toekick1]

Thanks Mark. I have been looking for this for years. This really brings back alot of memories. Awesome mural.

[YoFlaco]

It's amazing how much of this mural I remember having not seen the show in 20+ years.

[CarterFamilyFun]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE have The Secret City series released on DVD!!!! I will be first in line to puchase the whole series! ...If for no other reason than the simple memory of enjoying it as a kid, and so my kids can experience the same thing!!!

((pumping fist in the air and chanting:))

"Secret City on DVD!!!! Secret City on DVD!!!! Secret City on DVD!!!!"

[thecaseymckinnon]

Where is this? Is it in your home? At a museum? What a priceless work...

[dickclarkfan1]

I'd like to know who actually has possession of the drawing now. Does Mark or does Maryland Public Television.  Either way, it was one amazing piece of art!

[holtongallery]

I think I just had a flashback.

[bluefugue]

I really enjoyed "Secret City" as a kid. Sadly I didn't grow up to be a graphic designer, but I did draw incessantly as a child and adolescent, and had lots of fun doing it. Thanks for the inspiration, Mark!

[artistguy7]

You mean sadly you didnt grow up to be an artist, because thats what mark was teaching. Graphic design is using computers to make advertisments conforming to strict "brand identity" guidelines.

[lackthereof0]

I was always the best drawer in school thanks to grade 2-4 Secret City watching. I'm an artist today, of course! Thanks Mark!

[blva888]

Mark Kistler isn't there a way you can post all of your shows of the secret city on youtube?

[sentient02970]

oh wow loved that mural! you're like the Roger Dean for kids! loved your show man

[vectorlyme]

So glad to find this also! Also grew up to be a graphic designer as well... I remember you and the secret city well over my art teachers... thanks for the inspiration over all the years!!

[thakras]

I grew up to be a graphic designer, too. I used to love watching Secret City... practicing what Commander Mark taught during each episode. You're one of the major reasons I became a designer. Thank you, sir!!!!

[walkingloom]

its written in the end..im so stupid ahah

[walkingloom]

can somebody tell me what song is that please

[natereim]

It is so great to see this after so many years, and to see that so many have been affected by Commander Mark the way I was!

I want a secret city print!

[saxygirlnyc]

I LOVED Secret City and Draw Squad. (I loved all the PBS shows for kids in the 80s.) I still have my Draw Squad Club Card somewhere. It's purple. :-)

[wackyruss]

WHOA! Is it really him. "Commander" Mark Kistler?!?

My mom (who I am eternally greatful for doing this) enrolled me in his 1988 art camps in Houston.

Furbles, Unibears, foreshortening, shading... it's all coming back to me in waves of delight.

I found out recently the Mark still does art camps here in Houston... if only I was still a kid... lol

[steveasat2]

Very, very cool. That would make such a terrific screen saver, scrolling around the mural like that, with drawing tips popping up relevant to what's being shown.

[coltyhuxx]

Loved the theme song. I can still hum it. Thanks for teaching me the basics (even if I never ended up being a prodigy.)

[trublgrl]

Are you really Commander Mark?!? I LOVED your shows on PBS and you are one of the few broadcasters who had a real message. And the message was simply "DRAW DRAW DRAW". I can't say I've drawn every day, but I stopped thinking of art as something for "Artists" or people with a "special talent". Just like music and storytelling, art is for all of us, and even if I just sketch a flower or a funny face once in a week, I can embrace my own artistry because Commander Mark said it's OK. :)

[orion1052003]

Thanks for posting the mural, Mark!  I remember emailing you about this same thing. Do you have a big .jpeg photograph of the whole thing? It looks a bit water damaged now. This show was a classic that affected a lot of people and captured their imagination. People remember it fondly. Thanks!

[papawilk13]

I now have a 7 year old boy who also loves to draw. He draws all the time. I had him watch one of your lessons(Multiple Cylinders in 3-D!). He took to it right away just like me. Please, oh please add more videos. I am going to have him draw and practice to your episodes each day for 8 minutes. Thank you.

[papawilk13]

I am so glad that I found your website and you here on YouTube. I am now a graphic designer and you helped me so much to learn to draw. I loved your show. I was talking to my wife about how I learned to draw in 3-D by watching this tv show and she watch and drew along too it as well.

[priesmeyer]

Yes! I couldn't wait until the end of the show when you'd add to the mural. This brings back great memories.

[ceedeath]

thanks for posting this!

[atlasgolden]

Wow, I used to love the end of each show when you would add to the mural. It's an amazing work of art!