# CLUE Light Paint Stick with CircuitPython
## Overview
**_Light painting_** is an “in-camera” photographic effect (that is, not composited after-the-fact) using long exposures and moving light sources. The technique dates back over a century, most of that time relying on small flashlights or incandescent bulbs…but once someone had the idea to use a whole row of computer-controlled LEDs, it quickly became one of the _go-to_ maker projects, one we’ve visited many times. Any time a new technology comes along…[Arduino](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-painter), [Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/dotstar-pi-painter), [CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-light-paintstick)…light painting is a fun and creative way to put that tech through its paces.
The challenge of this project was to see what could be squeezed from the [**CircuitPython**](https://circuitpython.org) language on a mid-range microcontroller board — [Adafruit’s **CLUE**](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500), which also provides a screen and buttons for a minimal interface.
An earlier project, our [DotStar Pi Painter](https://learn.adafruit.com/dotstar-pi-painter), had the enormous resources of a Raspberry Pi computer at its disposal, and the results were almost _too good._ Could we get _some_ of those buttery-smooth visuals on a smaller device? A step (or three) up from the “bitmappy” LED graphics we’d previously seen from CircuitPython? Watch us work it!
## Parts
### Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE
[Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
Do you feel like you just don't have a CLUE? Well, we can help with that - get a CLUE here at Adafruit by picking up this sensor-packed development board. We wanted to build some projects that have a small screen and a lot of sensors. To make it compatible with existing projects, we made...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4500/guides)
### Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - Black 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter
[Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - Black 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2328)
Move over NeoPixels, there's a new LED strip in town! These fancy new DotStar LED strips are a great upgrade for people who have loved and used NeoPixel strips for a few years but want something even better. DotStar LEDs use generic 2-wire SPI, so you can push data much faster than with...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2328)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2328/guides)
### Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - White 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter
[Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - White 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2329)
Move over NeoPixels, there's a new LED strip in town! These fancy new DotStar LED strips are a great upgrade for people who have loved and used NeoPixel strips for a few years but want something even better. DotStar LEDs use generic 2-wire SPI, so you can push data much faster than with...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2329)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2329/guides)
### 3 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip
[3 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287)
This battery holder connects 3 AA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is compact, and 3 AA's add up to about 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries, plus it has a nifty on-off...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3287/guides)
### Alkaline AA batteries (LR6) - 3 pack
[Alkaline AA batteries (LR6) - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521)
Battery power for your portable project! These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects in the shop that use AAs. This is a pack of **3 AA batteries**.
These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry, with a voltage...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3521/guides)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-light-paintstick/build-the-light-paintstick.md)
## Featured Products
### Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE
[Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
Do you feel like you just don't have a CLUE? Well, we can help with that - get a CLUE here at Adafruit by picking up this sensor-packed development board. We wanted to build some projects that have a small screen and a lot of sensors. To make it compatible with existing projects, we made...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4500/guides)
### Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - Black 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter
[Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - Black 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2328)
Move over NeoPixels, there's a new LED strip in town! These fancy new DotStar LED strips are a great upgrade for people who have loved and used NeoPixel strips for a few years but want something even better. DotStar LEDs use generic 2-wire SPI, so you can push data much faster than with...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2328)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2328/guides)
### Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - White 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter
[Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - White 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2329)
Move over NeoPixels, there's a new LED strip in town! These fancy new DotStar LED strips are a great upgrade for people who have loved and used NeoPixel strips for a few years but want something even better. DotStar LEDs use generic 2-wire SPI, so you can push data much faster than with...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2329)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2329/guides)
### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable - 100mm Long
[STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable - 100mm Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4210)
This 4-wire cable is a little over 100mm / 4" long and fitted with JST-SH female 4-pin connectors on both ends. Compared with the chunkier JST-PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert and remove.
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4210)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4210/guides)
### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 200mm Long
[STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 200mm Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4401)
This 4-wire cable is a little over 200mm / 7.8" long and fitted with JST-SH female 4-pin connectors on both ends. Compared with the chunkier JST-PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert and remove.
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4401)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4401/guides)
### 3 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip
[3 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287)
This battery holder connects 3 AA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is compact, and 3 AA's add up to about 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries, plus it has a nifty on-off...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3287/guides)
### Alkaline AA batteries (LR6) - 3 pack
[Alkaline AA batteries (LR6) - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521)
Battery power for your portable project! These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects in the shop that use AAs. This is a pack of **3 AA batteries**.
These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry, with a voltage...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3521)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3521/guides)
### 4-pin JST SM Plug + Receptacle Cable Set
[4-pin JST SM Plug + Receptacle Cable Set](https://www.adafruit.com/product/578)
These 4-wire cables are 15cm long and come as a set, one side has a JST SM type connector plug on the end. The other side has a matching JST SM type receptacle connector. They are good for whenever you have 4 wires you want to be able to plug and unplug. We like the solid and compact nature of...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/578/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Introducing Adafruit CLUE](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-clue.md)
- [A colorful CLUE slideshow purse with Bright Wearables](https://learn.adafruit.com/a-colorful-clue-slideshow-purse.md)
- [CLUE Custom CircuitPython Badge](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-custom-circuit-python-badge.md)
- [Chauncey the Flower Care Bot with CLUE and Bonsai Buckaroo](https://learn.adafruit.com/chauncey-flower-watering-bot-clue.md)
- [Adafruit Bonsai Buckaroo](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bonsai-buckaroo.md)
- [Yoga Pose Chime](https://learn.adafruit.com/yoga-pose-chime.md)
- [CLUE Text Telephone Transmitter](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-teletype-transmitter.md)
- [CLUE Slim Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-slim-case.md)
- [ulab: Crunch Numbers fast in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/ulab-crunch-numbers-fast-with-circuitpython.md)
- [CircuitPython BLE Advertising Beacons](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-ble-advertising-beacons.md)
- [Bluetooth CLUE Robot Car using CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluetooth-clue-robot-car-using-circuitpython.md)
- [Digital Nose Milk Freshness Checker](https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-nose-gas-sensor-milk-freshness-checker.md)
- [LIS3MDL Triple-axis Magnetometer](https://learn.adafruit.com/lis3mdl-triple-axis-magnetometer.md)
- [CLUE Sensor Plotter in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-sensor-plotter-circuitpython.md)
- [Which CircuitPython Board is Right for You?](https://learn.adafruit.com/choose-your-circuitpython-board.md)