About us
At Burnt Sienna, we work exclusively with tutors who possess exceptional skill and a broad range of experience in oil painting and drawing. Our educators are selected based on their technical expertise, teaching experience, and ability to mentor students in a professional, supportive environment. Each tutor contributes to a learning culture that emphasizes rigorous training, individual attention, and the cultivation of a personal style.
The school maintains strict privacy policies to protect the safety and comfort of all students and staff. Permission to photograph the studio, artworks, or participants is carefully controlled, and students may be asked to sign release forms before entering the studio space. This ensures a secure environment where students can focus entirely on their artistic development without distraction.
Our Team
Get to know the people
inside Burnt Sienna Art school
Louise Lenz – School Director
Professional artist since 2007, with 18+ years of teaching experience
Specialises in traditional oil painting, underpainting, glazing, and colour theory
Leads the mentoring programme and advanced oil painting courses
Guides students in creating their own canvases, preparing surfaces with gesso or rabbit skin glue, and exploring both traditional and contemporary approaches
Emma Seach – Instructor
Graduate of the Royal Drawing School, London
Expertise in academic drawing, tonal values, and composition building
Supports students with portfolio reviews and sketchbook guidance before the course (via Google Meet)
Experienced in teaching foundational oil painting techniques such as preparing palettes, creating tonal scales, and mark-making
Our Studio
Our main studio for foundation courses is an historic, intimate space tucked away in a private attic in the heart of Neukölln. The studio provides a creative haven for artists, offering both solitude and inspiration. The space features one main painting area, a kitchen, and a roof space, with the majority of activity taking place in the central studio. To maintain privacy and focus, the studio is not open to the public, and access is only granted to students and registered visitors.
The studio itself is raw and atmospheric, with exposed beams, flecks of paint on the floors and walls, and a rich collection of objects including antiques, busts, plaster heads, crucifixes, and rare art catalogues. Many of our brushes are well-used, a testament to the years of practice cultivated within this space. The environment is designed to inspire creativity and skill development rather than mass production or replication of existing works.
Every aspect of the studio, from its layout to the materials available, reflects our commitment to rigorous artistic practice. We provide high-quality oil paints, brushes, and surfaces to allow students to explore and develop a unique style in a professional yet intimate environment.
Studio Guidelines:
Outside shoes off, indoor slippers on
Devices on airplane mode to maintain focus
Burnt Sienna Art School Berlin is a private art school with locations in Brandenburg and Berlin, dedicated to providing exceptional training in painting and drawing. Our primary aim is to equip students with the skills and confidence to continue their artistic practice long after completing their courses, whether pursuing a professional career or personal artistic development.
The school offers a structured academic program that includes foundation courses in drawing and oil painting, advanced oil painting, and a one-year mentoring programme for emerging artists. Each student must apply to the school, participate in an interview, and submit a portfolio of their work. Once accepted, students are expected to maintain a sketchbook, complete all homework, and practice in the studio under the guidance of professional tutors. Upon successful completion, students are assessed and awarded certificates in their chosen discipline.
Our programs range from intensive six-week courses to year-long mentorships. With a focus on both technical excellence and creative growth, Burnt Sienna emphasizes traditional training combined with contemporary approaches, helping each student to develop their own artistic voice. Due to the high standard of our teaching and the prestige of our courses, students from Germany and around the world apply to join our programs.