Creating a Lipstick Chart using Matplotlib: Step-by-Step Guide | Written by Oscar Leo | September 2023

Introduction:

Now, let’s move on to step 3 of our tutorial, which involves reading the data. The dataset we will be using for this tutorial contains information about mortality and diseases. This dataset is publicly available under Creative Commons licenses and is sourced from the World Bank.

To read the data into our program, we will be using the pandas library. Pandas is a powerful tool for data manipulation and analysis. Here’s the code snippet to read the data:

“`python
data = pd.read_csv(‘path/to/your/dataset.csv’)
“`

Make sure to replace ‘path/to/your/dataset.csv’ with the actual file path where your dataset is stored.

By reading the data into our program, we can now proceed to the next steps of creating our lipstick chart and visualizing the progress on metrics where the lower the value, the better. Stay tuned for the next steps in this tutorial!

Full Article: Creating a Lipstick Chart using Matplotlib: Step-by-Step Guide | Written by Oscar Leo | September 2023

Creating a Stunning Lipstick Chart to Visualize Progress: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

When it comes to visualizing progress on metrics where lower values are desirable, nothing beats a good lipstick chart. In this tutorial, I will walk you through the process of creating a lipstick chart that effectively communicates your message.

To begin, let’s start with a simple dataset that focuses on mortality and diseases. This dataset, sourced from the World Bank and available under Creative Commons licenses, will allow us to dive into the world of data visualization.

Step 1: Importing the Required Libraries

First things first, we need to import the necessary libraries to get started. In this case, we will be using pandas and matplotlib.

import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from PIL import Image
from matplotlib.lines import Line2D

Congratulations! You have successfully completed step 1.

Step 2: Creating a Seaborn Style

Now, let’s move on to the fun part – creating a stylish and visually pleasing color scheme for our chart. Websites like Coolors and Colorhunt can be excellent sources for finding beautiful colors that will make your visualization truly stand out. Here’s an example of the code and settings you can use to create a stunning seaborn style for your lipstick chart:

FONT_FAMILY = “serif”
BACKGROUND_COLOR = “#FAE8E0”
TEXT_COLOR = “#33261D”
BAR_COLOR = “#EF7C8E”

sns.set_style({
“axes.facecolor”: BACKGROUND_COLOR,
“figure.facecolor”: BACKGROUND_COLOR,
“text.color”: TEXT_COLOR,
“font.family”: FONT_FAMILY,
“xtick.bottom”: False,
“xtick.top”: False,
“ytick.left”: False,
“ytick.right”: False,
“axes.spines.left”: False,
“axes.spines.bottom”: False,
“axes.spines.right”: False,
“axes.spines.top”: False,
})

By customizing the style in this way, we can create a clean visualization with minimal distractions. Our lipstick chart is sure to catch the attention of viewers, making it an effective tool for conveying your message.

Step 3: Reading the Data

With the necessary libraries imported and our seaborn style set, it’s time to read in the data. By using pandas, we can easily analyze and manipulate the dataset before visualizing it. This step is crucial to ensure that our lipstick chart accurately represents the metrics we are focusing on.

Once the data is loaded, we can proceed to the next step, which involves plotting the lipstick chart itself. Stay tuned for the next part of this tutorial, where we’ll learn how to transform our dataset into a visually appealing and informative visualization.

Closing Thoughts

In this tutorial, we’ve taken the first steps towards creating a stunning lipstick chart. By importing the necessary libraries, creating a seaborn style, and reading in the data, we are well on our way to visualizing progress on metrics where lower values are desirable.

Join me in the next part of this tutorial as we dive deeper into the world of lipstick charts and explore how to transform our dataset into a truly captivating visualization. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to effectively communicate your message through the power of data visualization.

Summary: Creating a Lipstick Chart using Matplotlib: Step-by-Step Guide | Written by Oscar Leo | September 2023

In this tutorial, the author demonstrates how to create a lipstick chart for visualizing progress on metrics where lower values are considered better. The tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on importing libraries, creating a color scheme, and reading the data. The data used for the tutorial is publicly available from the World Bank.



How to Create a Lipstick Chart with Matplotlib

How to Create a Lipstick Chart with Matplotlib

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a lipstick chart using Matplotlib. Lipstick charts are a visual
representation of stock market data, often used in technical analysis for identifying trends and patterns. We will explore
the necessary steps and code required to generate a lipstick chart in Python.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have the following:

  • Python installed on your system
  • Matplotlib library installed
  • Basic knowledge of Python programming

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Importing Libraries

To begin, we need to import the necessary libraries:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import pandas as pd
import numpy as np

Step 2: Loading the Data

We will load the dataset into a pandas DataFrame:

data = pd.read_csv('stock_data.csv')

Step 3: Preparing the Data

Next, we will preprocess the data and extract the required information:

# Perform necessary data transformations
filtered_data = data[['Date', 'Open', 'Close']]
filtered_data['Date'] = pd.to_datetime(filtered_data['Date'])
filtered_data['Color'] = np.where(filtered_data['Close'] > filtered_data['Open'], 'red', 'green')

Step 4: Creating the Lipstick Chart

Finally, we can create the lipstick chart using Matplotlib:

# Plotting the lipstick chart
plt.figure(figsize=(12, 6))
plt.vlines(filtered_data['Date'], filtered_data['Open'], filtered_data['Close'], color=filtered_data['Color'], alpha=0.75)
plt.xlabel('Date')
plt.ylabel('Price')
plt.title('Lipstick Chart')
plt.xticks(rotation=45)
plt.show()

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a lipstick chart?

A lipstick chart is a visual representation of stock market data that uses vertical lines to indicate the opening and
closing prices of a security over a given time period. They are often used in technical analysis to identify trends and
patterns.

Q: How can I create a lipstick chart using Matplotlib?

You can create a lipstick chart using Matplotlib by following these steps:

  1. Import the necessary libraries
  2. Load the data into a pandas DataFrame
  3. Prepare the data by applying any necessary transformations
  4. Create the lipstick chart using Matplotlib’s plotting functions
  5. Customize the chart by adding labels, titles, and formatting options
  6. Show or save the chart

Q: What are the prerequisites for creating a lipstick chart?

Before creating a lipstick chart, ensure you have the following:

  • Python installed on your system
  • Matplotlib library installed
  • Basic knowledge of Python programming

Q: Can I customize the appearance of the lipstick chart?

Yes, you can customize the appearance of the lipstick chart by modifying various parameters such as colors, line styles,
labels, titles, and formatting options.

Q: Are there any alternative libraries for creating lipstick charts?

While Matplotlib is the most commonly used library for creating lipstick charts, there are alternative libraries such
as Plotly and Seaborn that provide additional functionality and styling options.