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How to create beautiful pen art in Scratch

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AM

ArtCoder_Maya

Posted on August 5, 2024 • Beginner

🎨 Need help creating pen art

I want to create some cool digital art using Scratch’s pen blocks, similar to the examples I’ve seen online. I’m particularly interested in:

  • Creating pixel-by-pixel art
  • Drawing mathematical patterns
  • Making colorful gradients and effects

How do I get started with pen art? What are the basic techniques I should know? 🖌️

PA

PenArtist_Pro

Replied 2 hours later • ⭐ Best Answer

@ArtCoder_Maya Great question! Pen art is one of my favorite things in Scratch. Let me show you everything you need to know:

🎨 Pen Art Creation Process

Here’s how to create beautiful pen art in Scratch:

flowchart TD A[🚩 Start Project] --> B[🔧 Add Pen Extension] B --> C[📋 Plan Your Art] C --> D[🎨 Choose Art Type] D --> E{🎯 Art Style?} E -->|Pixel Art| F[📐 Set Grid System] E -->|Pattern Art| G[🔢 Define Math Functions] E -->|Freeform| H[🖌️ Set Drawing Path] F --> I[🖊️ Pen Down] G --> I H --> I I --> J[🎨 Set Pen Color] J --> K[📏 Set Pen Size] K --> L[📍 Move to Start Position] L --> M{🔄 Drawing Loop} M --> N[🎨 Change Color/Size?] N -->|Yes| O[🌈 Update Pen Properties] N -->|No| P[✏️ Draw Line/Shape] O --> P P --> Q[📍 Move to Next Position] Q --> R{🏁 Art Complete?} R -->|No| M R -->|Yes| S[🖊️ Pen Up] S --> T[💾 Save/Share Art] subgraph "Pen Properties" U["🎨 Color (0-100)"] V["💫 Saturation (0-100)"] W["💡 Brightness (0-100)"] X["📏 Size (1-1000)"] end subgraph "Art Techniques" Y["🔲 Pixel-by-pixel"] Z["🌀 Mathematical patterns"] AA["🌈 Color gradients"] BB["🎭 Layered effects"] end style A fill:#e1f5fe style B fill:#f3e5f5 style I fill:#e8f5e8 style J fill:#fff3e0 style P fill:#ffebee style T fill:#c8e6c9

🔧 Step 1: Enable the Pen Extension

First, you need to add the Pen extension to your project:

  • Click the “Add Extension” button (bottom left)
  • Select “Pen” from the extension library
  • You’ll see green pen blocks appear in your block palette

🎨 Step 2: Basic Pen Drawing

Here’s a simple script to get you started with basic drawing:

    when flag clicked
erase all
set pen size to [3]
set pen color to [#ff0000]
go to x: [0] y: [0]
pen down
repeat [4]
move [100] steps
turn right [90] degrees
end
pen up

🌈 Step 3: Creating Colorful Patterns

Let’s create a beautiful spiral with changing colors:

    when flag clicked
erase all
set pen size to [2]
go to x: [0] y: [0]
pen down
set [distance v] to [1]
repeat [360]
set pen color to ((timer) * [10])
move (distance) steps
turn right [91] degrees
change [distance v] by [0.5]
end
pen up

🖼️ Step 4: Pixel Art Technique

For creating detailed pixel art, use this approach:

    // Method 1: Random pixel placement (fast and fun)
when flag clicked
erase all
set pen size to [1]
repeat [10000]
go to (random position v)
// Set color based on position
set pen color to (((x position) + [240]) * [2])
pen down
pen up
end

// Method 2: Systematic pixel placement (precise)
when flag clicked
erase all
set pen size to [1]
pen down
set [y v] to [-180]
repeat [360] // Height of stage
set [x v] to [-240]
repeat [480] // Width of stage
go to x: (x) y: (y)
// Create a gradient effect
set pen color to (((x) + (y)) + [420])
change [x v] by [1]
end
change [y v] by [1]
end
pen up

🔥 Step 5: Advanced Mathematical Art

Create stunning mathematical patterns:

    // Mandelbrot-inspired pattern
when flag clicked
erase all
set pen size to [1]
set [zoom v] to [100]
set [y v] to [-180]
repeat [360]
set [x v] to [-240]
repeat [480]
go to x: (x) y: (y)
set [a v] to ((x) / (zoom))
set [b v] to ((y) / (zoom))
set [iterations v] to [0]
repeat [20]
set [new_a v] to (((a) * (a)) - ((b) * (b)))
set [new_b v] to (((2) * (a)) * (b))
set [a v] to ((new_a) + ((x) / (zoom)))
set [b v] to ((new_b) + ((y) / (zoom)))
change [iterations v] by [1]
if <(((a) * (a)) + ((b) * (b))) > [4]> then
stop [this script v]
end
end
set pen color to ((iterations) * [10])
pen down
pen up
change [x v] by [1]
end
change [y v] by [1]
end

⚡ Step 6: Performance Tips

Enable Turbo Mode: For complex art, right-click the green flag and select “Turbo Mode” to speed up execution.

Use Efficient Loops: Minimize pen up/down operations by keeping the pen down when possible.

    // Efficient drawing
when flag clicked
erase all
pen down // Keep pen down for the entire drawing
repeat [100]
// Your drawing code here
move [10] steps
turn right [3.6] degrees
end
pen up // Only lift pen when completely done

🎯 Step 7: Interactive Art

Make your art respond to user input:

    when flag clicked
erase all
forever
if <mouse down?> then
go to (mouse-pointer v)
set pen color to (pick random [1] to [100])
set pen size to (pick random [1] to [10])
pen down
else
pen up
end
end

Have fun creating! Pen art is all about experimentation - try different formulas and see what beautiful patterns emerge! 🎨✨

AM

ArtCoder_Maya

Replied 1 hour later

@PenArtist_Pro This is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much! 🤩

I tried the spiral pattern first and it looks incredible! The mathematical art examples are mind-blowing - I had no idea you could create such complex patterns with just a few blocks.

The performance tips really helped too. Turbo mode makes such a difference for complex drawings!

FX

FractalExplorer

Replied 3 hours later

Love seeing people get into pen art! Here’s a fun fractal tree pattern to try:

    // Recursive tree fractal
define draw tree (length) (angle)
if <(length) > [5]> then
pen down
move (length) steps
turn left (angle)
draw tree ((length) * [0.7]) (angle) :: custom
turn right ((angle) * [2])
draw tree ((length) * [0.7]) (angle) :: custom
turn left (angle)
move ((0) - (length)) steps
pen up
end

when flag clicked
erase all
go to x: [0] y: [-150]
point in direction [0]
set pen color to [#228B22]
set pen size to [2]
draw tree [100] [30] :: custom

This creates beautiful branching patterns that look like real trees! 🌳

VB

Vibelf_Community

Pinned Message • Moderator

🎨 Ready to Create Digital Masterpieces?

Amazing pen art examples everyone! For those wanting to explore even more advanced digital art techniques, our community can help you master:

  • 🌟 Complex fractal algorithms
  • 🎭 Animation and motion graphics
  • 🔬 Scientific visualization
  • 🎮 Interactive art installations

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