Intensive Oil Painting Foundation

Next course dates

SUMMER 2026

Mon 22 June – Fri 26 June
10:00 – 13:00 each day
Course Fee: €595 – All materials included

AUTUMN 2026

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.

Students work in a small group of just 5–6 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.