Introduction:

• Welcome to BlockPyArt, an exciting way to learn programming by drawing shapes and patterns on a screen. This tutorial focuses on controlling the pencil for drawing. Remember: Always use the “start” block to activate the BlockPyArt console. If you do not start with the start block, you will encounter an error and the commands will not work properly.

Pencil Control Commands

1. pendown():
   • Purpose: Lowers the pencil to start drawing.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.forward(100)
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.forward(100)

     Code Lab
2. penup():
   • Purpose: Lifts the pencil to stop drawing.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.penup()
     turtle.forward(100)

     Code Lab
3. pensize(size):
   • Purpose: Sets the width of the pencil line.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.pensize(3)  # int
     turtle.forward(100)
     
     turtle.pensize(2.5)  # float
     turtle.forward(100)
     
     turtle.pensize(-1)  # negative int (not recommended)
     turtle.forward(100)
     

   • Exercise: Set the pencil size to 5, 1.75, and -2 respectively.

     Code Lab

Examples

1. Drawing with Different Line Widths:

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.pensize(2)
     turtle.forward(50)
     turtle.penup()
     
     turtle.goto(0, -20)
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.pensize(4)
     turtle.forward(50)
     turtle.penup()
     
     turtle.goto(0, -40)
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.pensize(6)
     turtle.forward(50)
     turtle.penup()
     

     Code Lab
2. Creating a Dashed Line:

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     for _ in range(10):
         turtle.pendown()
         turtle.forward(10)
         turtle.penup()
         turtle.forward(10)
     

     Code Lab

Exercises

1. Draw a Pattern with Different Pen Sizes:

   • Write a program to draw lines of different widths.

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.pensize(2)
     turtle.forward(100)
     turtle.penup()
     turtle.goto(0, -20)
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.pensize(4)
     turtle.forward(100)
     turtle.penup()
     turtle.goto(0, -40)
     turtle.pendown()
     turtle.pensize(6)
     turtle.forward(100)
     

     Code Lab
2. Draw a Dashed Circle:

   • Write a program to draw a dashed circle.

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     for _ in range(36):
         turtle.pendown()
         turtle.forward(10)
         turtle.penup()
         turtle.forward(10)
         turtle.right(10)
     

     Code Lab

Summary:

• In this tutorial, we learned how to control the pencil in BlockPyArt using the commands pendown(), penup(), and pensize(). Remember to always use the start block to activate the BlockPyArt console. If you cannot start using the BlockPyArt blocks, there will be an error. Practice these commands and exercises to get comfortable with controlling the pencil in BlockPyArt and creating various drawings!