can't getGraphics from JPanel

Hi,

I want to get the graphics context from a JPanel so I can draw on it. In the example below,theStage ends up null, causing a null pointer exception - where am I going wrong?

class winextends JFrame{

Container c;

win(){

stage stage =new stage();

c = getContentPane();

c.add(stage);

setSize(400,400);

setResizable(false);

setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

setVisible(true);

}

class stageextends JPanel{

stage(){

Graphics2D theStage = (Graphics2D)getGraphics();

theStage.drawLine(0,0,100,100);

}

}

}

big thanks for any help,

Des

[1127 byte] By [Desmond22a] at [2007-11-26 19:52:45]