I need to draw on a TPanel, ideally directly so I don\'t have another component on top of it getting in the way of mousevent-event trapping (I want to draw a little \"size-g
This is one of the many many ways that Raize Components can make your life easier. I just go into Delphi, drop on a TRzPanel, and type:
RzPanel1.Canvas.Rectangle...
I'm sure there are other solutions - but I don't have to look for them with Raize.
(just a satisfied customer for about 10 years...)
EDIT: Given your goal, and your statement that you have Raize Components already, I should also point out that TRzSizePanel handles resizing of the panel and useful events like OnCanResize (to determine whether you want to allow resizing to a particular new width or height).