# Where do you live & what's happening there **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [March 15, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311 "2025-03-15T17:49:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![siffermus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@siffermus](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/siffermus)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/444 "2026-10-16T14:59:55Z")
I have a couple of questions. I wasn’t quite sure were to post, so I just put it here. I just started the beginners class in OilPastels - and yes, Terri, it’s like painting with Lipstick! 1: how do you store the drawings? Smudging seems to be a very real issue. 2: Is their like a fixative or varnish you can put on them, so they won’t smudge. 3: Matt used a Cnason pastel paper, which I don’t have, so I went with pastelmat. Is pastelmat similar to the pastelpaper? - or should I get some actual oil pastel paper? I have paper for oil paint, would that be better? I filled the tooth on th pastelmat so fast. 4: how do I get my fingers to look normal again? After drawing the blue monochromatic drawing of the basic shapes, it looks like I strangulated a smurf with my bare hands, and no amount of soap seems to work! ![PXL_20261016_1438002801](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/7/76186219479803f48f374888c168ca282dc1287e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Elina](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/elina/32/6661_2.png) [@Elina](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Elina)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/445 "2026-10-16T18:51:39Z")
@siffermus oooohhhh…. You made me laugh​😂your smurfy fingers maybe getting clean with some dishcleaner or oliveoil . And yes it is like drawing with lipsticks… here are most of the time more then 25 degrees 😅… I gifted mine after this course a friend. ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/446 "2026-10-17T15:22:01Z")
Hi Sys @siffermus Now that I’m at my computer (and not my cell phone) I will try to answer your OIL PASTEL questions: 1. Because oil pastel drawings never dry, it is my policy to get them into a frame as soon as possible. You need to be sure to have at least a single or double matt between the artwork and the glass to assure you drawing is not going to smudge. 2. I didn’t think there was any fixative out there for oil pastels, but a quick check with ChatGPT told me I was wrong. Therefore, I can now suggest you try - Sennelier D’Artigny Oil Pastel Fixative. This is specifically made to protect finished oil pastel drawings. - Transparent protective resin coating - Helps protect against dust and smearing - Produces a slightly glossy, satin-like finish - Available in a 400 ml aerosol can Sennelier confirms that it is formulated for oil pastels. 1. When I’m using Oil Pastels, I like to use a paper specifically made for Oil Paintings. When I checked at Blick just now (I searched for . . . paper for oil painting), there are several brands in pads or big sheets. A couple years ago I did an oil pastel drawing where I was going to leave the background of the paper with nothing drawn on it. After it was left for about a month, the “oil” seeped into the paper and spread out from the drawing - and that was very noticeable on the paper. That means if you use something other what is made for use with oil media, you may have the same issue. 2. Anything designed to clean oil paint would work to clean your hands. That would include: paint thinner, turpentine or mineral spirits - but these products may be somewhat harsh on your hands. Inexpensive methods would be to use before washing - a little baby oil, mineral oil, or ordinary cooking oil. The process would be as follows: a. Rub a small amount onto your stained hands to loosen the wax and pigment. b. Wipe the dissolved color off with a paper towel. c. Wash thoroughly with The Masters Artist Hand Soap or regular dish soap and warm water. d. Apply hand lotion afterward. But probably the best solution (according to ChatGPT) is to start with The Masters Artist Hand Soap. It is inexpensive, readily available from Blick and Hobby Lobby, and designed specifically for the type of cleanup you’re describing. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/9/9d70571a37975c9acb33462b532dd85f042fbf53.jpeg) Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Meme5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/meme5/32/6555_2.png) [@Meme5](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Meme5)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/447 "2026-10-17T23:31:59Z")
@robichon Thank you for taking the time for researching and sharing all this useful detailed information which I will use for myself! Good to know all of it! Sonia ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/448 "2026-10-17T23:50:17Z")
Hi Sonia @Meme5 It was a learning experience for me too. So it never hurts to ask questions on the forum Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Buddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Buddy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Buddy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 2:42am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/449 "2026-10-18T02:42:46Z")
@siffermus Hi Sys, we are on the same page. I just finished the sky & dunes landscape of that course and posted it unter the Oil Pastel Course thread, @TLP Teri started some time ago. I have been working in Canson Mi Teintes paper like Matt, but with Mungyo oil pastels. Since you are in Europe, I can recommend Gerstaecker to get yourmart supplies. I do have a pad of Oil Pastel Paper along with the fixative from Sennelier, @robichon Terri suggested. For me this fixative works great, if sprayed in thin layers. It will slightly darken the colors and makes them pop at the same time. Haven’t tried the oil pastel paper yet. You did a great start! Buddy ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/450 "2026-10-22T13:58:34Z")
DID YOU KNOW: In 1932, only about 69 trumpeter swans were known to remain in the wild in the lower 48 states. In the 1980s, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began a restoration program, releasing captive-raised swans into suitable habitats. Many of the trumpeter swans in west-central Minnesota today are descendants of birds reintroduced just 40 years ago. They have gone from being virtually nonexistent in Minnesota to becoming a familiar sight on our lakes and wetlands. Here is one that was visiting my shoreline yesterday. So lucky to live in a place where the Trumpeter Swans can be seen year round. Terri Robichon ![5x7 trumpeter swan on 10-21-2026](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/4/47ed0b3940633be8427433609e3f36f91d0d254d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Lucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47774/32.png) [@Lucy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Lucy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/451 "2026-10-22T15:30:13Z")
@robichon Beautiful story and a beautiful picture! 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Lucy ---
**Author:** ![1kidneyJD](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/1kidneyjd/32/8382_2.png) [@1kidneyJD](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/1kidneyJD)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/452 "2026-10-22T20:36:05Z")
Terri @robichon I can’t wait to see what medium you use for this photo. Jim ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/453 "2026-10-22T20:53:05Z")
Hi James @1kidneyJD I don’t plan to draw this one. I have others with spread wings that I like better. Actually I have way more references than time to do them, and I’ve been enjoying doing the lessons from gettin sketchy lately. I’m working on the orange octopus right now, and spending way more than 45 minutes on it. Terri ---
**Author:** ![Creativejan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/creativejan/32/8507_2.png) [@Creativejan](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Creativejan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/454 "2026-10-22T21:27:48Z")
Haven’t been here in a long time . But here in Michigan it has been beautiful fall weather i thought I would share a picture I drew from the lake recently . I will post both in water color and ink pens . Hope you like them . These is swans at goose lake . ![IMG_7862](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/1/14072c422bfb68ea01652f52e28353079acdb8a2.jpeg) ![IMG_7481](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/f/ff0826aebfe7db2657dfd8e9e632515fff3cf219.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![1kidneyJD](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/1kidneyjd/32/8382_2.png) [@1kidneyJD](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/1kidneyJD)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/455 "2026-10-22T22:05:05Z")
Jan @Creativejan Welcome back, hoping this is not your swan song, keep creating and posting James ---
**Author:** ![theresebriggs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@theresebriggs](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/theresebriggs)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/456 "2026-10-23T02:11:16Z")
The white flowering tree is a Dogwood (the one on the right is a pink one and the tall one on the left is a Jerusalem dogwood that is white)! ---
**Author:** ![Creativejan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/creativejan/32/8507_2.png) [@Creativejan](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Creativejan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/457 "2026-10-23T02:31:32Z")
Thank you James I do plan on continuing to do art . Life just got in the way for a few months but I plan on getting back I. To the flow . ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311/458 "2026-10-24T00:27:10Z")
Hi @Creativejan Glad to see you back again. Great to see you enjoy the trumpeter swans too. Thanks for sharing. Terri Robichon [Previous page](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-you-live-whats-happening-there/4311.md?page=22)