...
Back to Leadership Board

Challenge #3: Draw Your Character

Start Date: October 27, 2023
Submit By: 8:30 am on November 3, 2023

In this project, you will learn how to use the Turtle Graphics Library to create drawings using Python code.
We will cover the following:

  •     What is a library in programming?
  •       Turtle Graphics Library functions
  •       How to use coordinates to draw your pictures
  •       Drawing your own character
Watch a Video Tutorial

Video Tutorial

Challenge #3: Draw Your Character

Using Python's Turtle graphics library, create a program that draws a cartoon character or animal with an oval-shaped body based on the provided template. The character's mandatory feature should be its oval-shaped body from the initial template.

Challenge Details:
  • Watch video instructions and learn Turtle functions (see description below).
  • Create a new Trinket and set up the screen with a suitable background colour.
  • Draw an oval-shaped body for your character using the provided template ->follow instructions here. You can customise the body's colour.
  • Download the paper template or create your own and do pre-drawings to understand coordinates, then transfer them to the code-> Download Template
  • Use Turtle graphics functions to draw additional features like eyes, mouth, arms, and accessories.
  • Choose from characters like Minions, SpongeBob, Ninja Turtles, Super Heroes, or any character/animal you like (e.g., pig, frog, cat, dog), but keep the initial oval body shape from the template.
Bonus Tip: Consider drawing multiple characters or create a scene with interactions between them. Add details like clothing, facial expressions, and props to make your character come to life.
Too Hard? If this is too challenging to create your own character, just follow the Penguin drawing sample, and you can still receive 3 points.

Next
Let's explore Turtle Functions

Start your drawing with setting up the screen

We will be using the following Turtle commands to bring our drawings to life:

  • speed(number) - set the speed of your drawing from 0 to 10
  • penup() or pu() - This command lifts the turtle's writing pen, so it won't leave a trace while moving.
  • pendown() or pd() - With this command, we put the turtle's writing pen back down, allowing it to draw on the screen.
  • goto(x,y) - Use this command to navigate the turtle to a specific coordinate on the screen. The (x, y) values represent the horizontal and vertical positions.
  • color("colourName") - This command sets the colour of the turtle's pen or fill to the specified colour name, such as "blue" in our case.
  • begin_fill() and end_fill() - These commands mark the beginning and end of the shape that we want to fill with the selected colour.
  • forward(number) - Use this command to move the turtle forward by a specified number of pixels.
  • right(angle) and left(angle) - These commands allow the turtle to turn right or left by the specified angle.
  • circle(radius) - Draw a circle with a specified radius.
  • pensize(number) - Adjust the thickness of the turtle's pen stroke.
  • shape(name) - You can change the shape of the mouse . Use one of the following build-in shapes: arrow, turtle, circle, square, triangle, and classic
  • stamp() - The stamp command creates a copy of the turtle's shape on the canvas at its current position.
Want to learn more about Turtle commands? -> follow this link

Example 1

Example 2

Prev Next
Please ensure all required fields are filled in
Coordinates and Grid

Now, let's understand how we position our turtle on the canvas.

We have a grid that represents our canvas, and each square on the grid will corresponds to 50x50 pixels.

We use coordinates to specify the location of our turtle. Coordinates consist of two parts: the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate. The x-coordinate represents the horizontal position, while the y-coordinate represents the vertical position.

Think of coordinates as a set of numbers that tell us where to go.

The origin, (0, 0), is at the middle of the grid. We can use the 'goto' command to move our turtle to any specific coordinates on the grid, whether they are positive or negative values.


Prev Next
Please ensure all required fields are filled in
Draw an Oval-Shaped Body template

Draw an oval-shaped body

Prev Next
Penguin drawing

Penguin drawing sample

Now it's time to draw your own character.

Prev Next
Submit your Challenge

Submit your final project




Copy your Trinket Url

  • Click Share->Link
  • Copy the link to share your code
  • Paste link into the field


    • Prev