How do i paint a rectangle onto a panel when a button is clicked?

I know how to paint a rectangle i.e.

Private Sub Panel1_Paint(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles Panel1.Paint
Dim R As New Rectangle(120, 142, 440, 56)
e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.BlueViolet, R)
End Sub

But how do i get this to take place only when the user clicks a button?

try this:

Code:

---

Public Class Form1

    Dim paint As Boolean = False

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        paint = Not paint
        Panel1.Invalidate()
    End Sub

    Private Sub Panel1_Paint(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles Panel1.Paint
        If paint Then
            Dim R As New Rectangle(120, 142, 440, 56)
            e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.BlueViolet, R)
        End If
    End Sub

End Class

---

Thanks, I will give it a try, so the only way is to invalidate the panel?

invalidating the panel forces a repaint, + runs the code in the Panel1_Paint event

Thanks

Invalidating doesn't quite force a repaint. One could argue the point, as it's largely a matter of the word 'force'. Invalidating the control tells the app that the control is dirty and needs to be painted again, but it allows the app to get around to it when it can. Calling .Refresh will force an immediate painting of the control, which is MUCH more preemptive. There are times when this is essential to do, such as when you need the control to paint IMMEDIATELY. Invalidate will cause the control to paint, but....eventually. If you are updating a label in a loop, Refresh would cause the display to update as soon as you call it, but Invalidate would cause the display to update once the loop is completed. This is a distinction that shows up at times when people complain that their control isn't showing the changes they are making in a loop.

Shaggy is correct. I stand corrected:D