Intensive Oil Painting Foundation
This is the perfect option for international students visiting Berlin who want to fully immerse themselves in painting while experiencing the city’s vibrant arts scene. It is equally suited to local artists looking for dedicated time away from work and everyday responsibilities to focus completely on their painting practice.
✓ 15 hours studio tuition
✓ Curated museum and gallery visits
✓ All materials included
✓ Maximum 6 participants
✓ Individual feedback and mentoring
✓ Suitable for beginners and returning painters
Autumn Oil Painting Intensive Foundation Course
21 - 25 Sept 2026
Monday–Friday · 10:00–17:00
15 hours studio tuition + 15 g hours curated afternoon museum and gallery visits with drawing excercises
€675 / solidarity €580
An intensive week of oil painting for beginners and returning painters. Through daily studio sessions, students learn underpainting, colour theory, composition, glazing techniques, and the development of a finished painting. Small group teaching ensures individual guidance and regular feedback throughout the programme.
Afternoons are dedicated to curated visits to Berlin's museums, galleries, and artist-led spaces, providing historical context, contemporary references, and direct engagement with painting in practice.
All materials included
Payment plans and reduced fees for low-income students are available — please just ask.
Location
Kamminerstr. 9, 10589 Berlin
4 minutes from Mierendorffplatz U7
2 / 6 remaining
book the autumn intensive course
Overview
This five-day Intensive covers the core curriculum of the Burnt Sienna Oil Painting Foundation Course, offering a focused introduction to traditional oil painting techniques in a supportive studio environment. For those who want to truely immerse themselves in painting and escape everyday life.
Students work in a small group of just 6 - 7 participants, allowing for individual guidance, demonstrations, and feedback throughout the week.
The course is taught by Emma Seach (Royal Drawing School, London) or Louise Lenz, founder and director of Burnt Sienna Art School Berlin, who has over 18 years of experience teaching and working as a professional painter since 2007.
All high-quality art materials, studio equipment, and refreshments are included in the course fee so that students can focus fully on developing their painting skills.
Who this course is for
This course is ideal for:
• Complete beginners who want a structured introduction to oil painting
• Artists returning to painting after a break
• Students preparing for art school applications
• Painters who want to strengthen their understanding of colour, composition, and technique
• Anyone interested in learning traditional oil painting methods in a supportive studio environment
No prior oil painting experience is required.
What you will learn
During the week students work through the essential stages of building an oil painting from observation.
Each participant will produce:
• One finished canvas painting
• Three smaller oil studies exploring colour and technique
• A series of practical studio exercises designed to build confidence with oil paint
Topics covered include:
• Preparing and priming painting surfaces
• Understanding underpainting and tonal structure
• Colour theory and mixing a practical palette
• Brush handling and paint application
• Building paintings in layers
• Solving common painting problems in the studio
• Developing observational skills
Students also participate in group critiques modelled on London art school teaching methods, helping you develop the ability to evaluate and discuss your work and the work of others.
Preparation and follow-up
To support learning beyond the studio week, the course also includes:
• A 30-minute preparation meeting before the course begins (online or in person)
• Printed worksheets and studio exercises
• Optional homework assignments
• A follow-up evaluation session two weeks after the course
Students receive guidance on how to continue painting independently and how to progress to the Intermediate Oil Painting Course or Mentoring Programme.
