Oil painting foundation courses
Autumn Oil Painting Foundation
Thursday 24 September - 26 October 6 - 9 pm 18 hours
📍 Kamminer Straße 9, Berlin
Tutor Emma Seach
Fee: €595 / €480 solidarity (payment plan available)
Learn the foundations of traditional oil painting in a focused, small-group setting.
You'll be guided step by step through the process of building a painting — from underpainting and colour mixing to developing a finished work. Teaching is practical, structured, and tailored to each student.
Max. 6 participants to ensure individual attention.
All materials included.
✓ 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 / 12 - 16 Oct 2026
Monday–Friday · 10:00–17:00
15 hours studio tuition + 15 g hours curated afternoon museum and gallery visits with drawing excercises
€650 / 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
Autumn Intermediate Oil Painting Course 2026
An intimate weekly course for students who want to further and deepen their oil painting practice.
Ideal for those who have completed the Foundation Course, or who already have some experience and would like to continue with the weekly rhythm of classes in a focused, supportive group. includes all materials and a one-to-one evaluation before and after the course.
Dates: Monday evenings 6 - 9 pm
21 September - 26 October
Location: Kamminerstr. 9, 10589 Berlin.
Fee: €595
Solidarity price: €480
Tutors: Emma Seach
intermediate painting class July 2026
Intermediate oil painting course
This is an advanced oil painting course over 6 weeks on Saturday mornings held 3 times a year. Places are limited to 6 and you need to apply at least 2 months in advance of the course date. basic knowledge and experience in oil painting is required. Suitablity can easily be established with a meeting after you send your application. The course fee includes all materials and a studio visit to prepare for the course and build up your sketchbook.
Key information -
studio based course
plenty of pure oil painting time in the studio
Advanced colour theory - your own palette
bespoke classes tailored to individual pursuit of particular techniques
Group critique in the London art school style - constructive, structured feedback for your paintings in a group environment with a qualified tutor.
Professional practice development of your artistic practice
Mentorship
The Intermediate course in oil painting is for those who have a foundation in oil painting and would like to take it to the next stage. In this course you will be supported to work on your own painting. Your project will be given bespoke guidance depending on the individual needs of your work. Where appropriate you will learn about working on different grounds or using different textures and mediums to get what you need. Your ideas and composition will be supported by one on one guidance and in group discussion. Feedback from peers is often the most generous way to expand our knowledge by shared ideas both conceptually and practically. At Burnt Sienna we provide asupportive environment that will help you to start your painting, figure out how to approach your ideas and how to break open ideas of where to go next if you are stuck. Through discussion and demonstration you will receive guidance on how to deal with a particular problem or how to practise a technique you would like to master. With 6 sessions of focused and supported painting time you will have a great opportunity to realise the painting that you want to make.
Course content
Through discussion and play in the first sessions we will decide on the right surface and scale for you to work on, once decided you will then need to bring this to the class.
Class one - Group discussion on how to approach your painting, playing with different surfaces
Class 2- Do you know your colour palette and how to achieve it? Planning out your painting on your surface. including unique methods in finding and establishing your unique colour palette including colour menus and production of your own colour samples.
class 3 - Getting started- underpainting if appropriate, first layers
Class 4 - Getting stuck in- mixing in a variety of textures and mediums where appropriate.
Class 5 - Pulling it together- building up layers where necessary
Class 6 - Final touches and group discussion- what was learnt and how to continue.
All sessions are supported with both tutor one on one mentoring and group discussions.
This is an advanced oil painting course over 6 weeks on Saturday mornings held 3 times a year. Places are limited to 6 and you need to apply at least 2 months in advance of the course date. basic knowledge and experience in oil painting is required. Suitablity can easily be established with a meeting after you send your application.
Advanced colour theory
in depth understanding and construction of compositions that work
how to make your own oil paint from scratch and store it
advanced medium for oil painting, including a wide range of technologies
surface preparation and use of paper, wood and canvas
problem solving within painting
the golden gospels and rules of finishing a painting
one on one mentorship and follow up evaluation after the course
What do I need to bringYou will need to bring any visual ideas relating to the painting you would like to make. This
may include sketchbooks or drawings, reference imagery from any source, inspiration from
other artists you like or find helpful.
Louise Lenz working in the Burnt Sienna studio 2022
Paintings in London exhibition at Bischoff/Weiss by Louise Lenz
Two portrait - oil painting on canvas by Louise Lenz
Louise Lenz in the studio at Burnt sienna 2019. Photo: Bert Spangemacher
Courses & Programmes
Burnt Sienna offers structured oil painting education for beginners, developing artists, and professionals.
Courses are taught in English in small groups of no more than six students, with all materials included. Students learn traditional oil painting techniques, build confidence, and receive individual guidance in a serious artist-led studio environment.
✓ Beginners welcome
✓ Small groups
✓ Materials included
✓ Centrally located and accessible
Winter Intermediate Oil Painting Course
Winter Intermediate Oil Painting Course
Saturdays, 14:00–17:00
9 January – 13 February 2027
Six weeks | Six three-hour sessions
Maximum six participants
18 hours · €595 / solidarity €480
An intermediate oil painting course for students who already have some experience with painting and would like to deepen their technical understanding and develop a more sustained body of work.
The course focuses on observation, colour relationships, paint handling, composition, and individual development through longer-form painting projects and group feedback.
All materials included
Payment plans and reduced fees for low-income students are available — please just ask.
6/6 remaining
Overview of our art
courses and programmes
Foundation Course in oil painting
A structured introduction to traditional oil painting, designed for beginners and developing artists. Over six weeks, students learn essential techniques—from preparing surfaces and underpainting to colour mixing and building a finished painting—within a small, supportive studio group.
Intermediate Course in oil painting
Designed for students with some painting experience who want to deepen their technical skills and develop their own artistic voice. Over six weeks, artists refine colour, composition, and painting techniques while working on more ambitious studies with individual guidance and group critique.
Workshops in painting
Short, intensive sessions 3 hour painting classes in oil painting techniques. bespoke and free. Ideal for a creative boost without long-term commitment.
Mentoring & Residencies
Designed for emerging artists seeking a professional approach to developing their practice. The programme includes one-to-one tutorials, group critiques, and independent studio time in a dedicated studio environment.
Private one on one class
A focused, one-to-one painting session in the Burnt Sienna studio, tailored entirely to you. Suitable for beginners and more experienced painters, with expert guidance from academy-trained tutors. All materials included.
All courses combine hands-on tuition, high-quality materials, and group discussion to create a complete learning experience. Students develop technical mastery while building confidence in both traditional and contemporary painting practice.
Foundation oil painting Course
Perfect for beginners eager to learn the fundamentals of drawing and oil painting, including colour theory, composition, and studio techniques. Our Foundation Courses take place in Burnt Sienna’s historic Neukölln studio, a bright and inspiring space where students receive individual attention in groups of no more than six.
Each course runs for six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h), providing a structured introduction to the principles of observational drawing and painting. Through hands-on exercises, students build technical confidence from the very first session, learning how to mix and apply colour, understand proportion and form, and explore a variety of traditional oil painting methods under the guidance of professional tutors.
The small-group format encourages both focus and collaboration, allowing each participant to progress at their own pace while benefiting from shared critiques and discussion. On completion, every student receives a Certificate of Achievement, recognising their progress and newly acquired skills in the foundations of painting and drawing.
“The oil painting foundation course with Louise was my first experience with oil paints and a key step in learning to think like an artist. The studio’s atmosphere was intimate and supportive, and it was inspiring to learn alongside such focused and passionate people.”
Not sure if you want to sign up to the full course yet ? Book yourself in for a saturday class. This session gives you a real experience of how we teach
working in a small group, with individual guidance, in a focused studio environment.
You’ll be introduced to:
How to begin a painting (underpainting)
Working from observation
Basic colour mixing
How to build a painting step by step
No experience needed.
All materials are provided.
If you decide to continue, your fee will be deducted from the full course fee.
Valid for 7 days after your session.
Intermediate oil painting Course
Ideal for students with some prior experience who wish to refine their technical skills and develop a more personal artistic style. Our Intermediate course offers a focused and inspiring environment for small groups of up to six participants.
Each course consists of six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h) and builds upon the fundamentals covered in the Foundation Courses. Students explore more advanced aspects of drawing and oil painting, including composition, colour harmony, glazing, and the development of independent projects. Each session combines demonstration, guided studio work, and one-to-one feedback from professional tutors, ensuring that every participant receives personalised support.
Discussion and critique play a key role throughout the course, helping students to expand their understanding of contemporary studio practice while deepening their appreciation of traditional techniques. Upon completion, each participant is awarded a Certificate of Achievement, acknowledging their progress and dedication to advancing their artistic practice.
“I would love to say that this course has so warm and welcoming atmosphere! Emma is a great teacher who helped me with my path of working on my painting. She shared knowledge, was very supportive, and helped me achieve my results. I would be glad to come back to another course! ”
Intensive Oil Painting Foundation
5 day intensive course
A five-day studio intensive covering the core curriculum of the Burnt Sienna Oil Painting Foundation Course. Learn essential oil painting techniques in a small group of max. 6 students, create a finished canvas painting and studies, and explore Berlin’s museums and galleries together.
Workshops
Our workshops offer short, intensive sessions focused on specific themes such as still life, portraiture, or advanced oil painting techniques. Perfect for those seeking a creative boost, workshops provide concentrated learning in a single area, allowing students to experiment and expand their skills without committing to a longer course.
Each workshop emphasises hands-on practice, individual guidance, and group discussion, ensuring that students leave with both new skills and renewed inspiration for their ongoing artistic practice.
Artist residency - mentoring programme
Designed for emerging artists ready to take their practice to a professional level, our twelve-week Mentoring Programme offers a structured and supportive framework within Burnt Sienna’s historic Neukölln loft studio. Participants work independently on their painting projects while receiving personalised one-to-one guidance and monthly group critiques with fellow artists in a collaborative, international environment.
Each artist enjoys 24-hour studio access, a dedicated workspace, and full use of professional materials, a comprehensive art library, printer, scanner, and shared facilities. The atmosphere encourages focus, experimentation, and artistic growth.
Alongside painting development, the programme includes Professional Practice sessions covering how to catalogue and promote your work, network with galleries, organise exhibitions, and sell paintings professionally. These sessions provide artists with the tools and confidence to navigate the art world and sustain a professional creative practice.
By the end of the programme, artists will have strengthened their technical ability, refined their creative direction, and gained confidence in presenting their work publicly.
Key details:
Duration: 1-3 months
pre course 1 hour tutorial - structure and goals meeting in the studio
3 x one on one tutorials one per month
3 x group critiques of 3-4 hours weekends
1 3 hour class per month all materials provided
Access: 24 hours a day
east and west end studio locations
Outcome: Developing your own style, professional development, portfolio growth, and exhibition preparation
Our tutors are professional artists with exceptional skill and extensive experience in oil painting and drawing. Each brings a commitment to high-quality, hands-on teaching, combining academic rigour with personal guidance in an encouraging environment.
Courses take place in our historic Neukölln attic studio – an intimate, light-filled space designed to foster focus, creativity, and craftsmanship. With its raw charm, antique objects, and quiet atmosphere, the studio offers artists a true haven for concentrated work and artistic growth.
Inside Burnt Sienna Art School
Ready to start your artistic journey?
Join Burnt Sienna Berlin and experience hands-on, professional oil painting education in a supportive, creative environment.
All courses are taught in small groups of no more than six students. All materials are included in Foundation Courses, Intermediate Courses, and Intensive Programmes.
Next upcoming featured courses
Art Courses & Programmes – FAQs
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We offer Foundation and Intermediate Courses, short Workshops, Mentoring Programmes and Online Tutorials—all designed to accommodate beginners through to experienced artists.
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Most Foundation and Intermediate Courses run for six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h). Mentoring and residencies offer longer-term, flexible studio access, with one-to-one tutorials and group critiques integrated into the programme.
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Most Foundation and Intermediate Courses run for six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h). Mentoring programmes and residencies are longer-term, offering extended studio access and one-to-one tuition.
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Classes are deliberately small, with a maximum of six students per group. This ensures individual attention, meaningful feedback, and a supportive, intimate learning environment in our historic Neukölln studio.