Intermediate painting course and studio practice - Autumn 2024 

Key information 

8 week course /// Fridays 10 - 1pm

6 places available

Class dates

Fridays 6th September  /// 13th September /// 20th September /// 27th September  /// 4th October  /// 7th October // 11t October // 25th October

Course fee - early bird price first 3 places €665

Fee € 750 - deposit of €150 to secure your place rest payable 6th September

Tutor Louise Lenz ( founder and director of Burnt sienna )

Entry level - those with some experience in drawing or painting - those wanting to maintain a regular artistic practice. Those who have taken the foundation course in oil painting and want to develop and maintain a strong painting practice.  Those seeking to develop and expand their oil painting practice. Those with experience in acrylic or watercolour painting, sculpture and drawing welcome.

Materials students are expected to invest in their own set if materials for the course ( ca. €200 ) or bring their own materials they already have or top those up to the following. Base oil colour tubes - t. Z. white, naples yellow, ver. red , um. blue and vd. brown burnt Sienna Brushes x 4 , Turpentine or alternative, Mediums, a4 sketchbookq. All other studio equipment will be provided by Burnt Sienna that includes, easels, palettes, life models.

Course overview

the intermediate painting course has been designed and will be led by Louise Lenz this autumn. The primary aim of the course is to strengthen and develop artistic practice in oil painting. With a focus on technique and practical ability within the studio context. There will be a strong focus on actually getting on with painting supported with 1-on-1 tutorials and guidance. Including museum visits and sessions with a live model. You will explore contemporary and traditional methods theory and techniques. Louise will share tips and tricks to get the most out of your materials and you will build in confidence week by week.

You will start to understand your paintings within their own historical context and develop a strong painting practice around that knowledge.

Your themes - how to maintain a sketchbook and artist practice of oil painting. You will be taught how to build and prepare various types of painting surfaces, learn how to make your own paints, water or oil based, study advanced colour theory, paint handling and application. Advanced glazing and varnishing techniques in oil painting. Museum field trip , how to sketch successfully with in museum context - field trip with Louise Lenz to museum Island.

Class 1 Making your own oil painting surfaces and primers, glues and binders

We will explore and build suitable surfaces depending on your needs surfaces from paper, card, canvas and wood copper, aluminum etc. Discussion of surfaces primers with printed worksheets and traditional recipes for primers to take away. Hands on physical class with lots of making and big results. You will end up with between 20-50 surfaces to work on. Phew!

 Class 2 the magic of pigments and making your own paint ( water and oil based)

Intermediate palette building class. Making your own oil paints from scratch - preparation of paint, handling and application. Paint storage. Introduction to successful compositions. Underpainting, discuss and tutorial demo in various ways contemporary and modern to start a painting. Hands on painting with 1-on - ones where needed.

Class 3 resources and finding your muse (field trip)

How to work in a museum on your drawings painting and collage and make the most of it  - field trip to musueum island with Louise Lenz. Sketchbook exploration finding inspiration and original material to build a series of paintings. Collating and understanding your resources, concept and finding meaning.

Class 4 developing a body of work

Continued sketchbook development and maintenance. After lunch Live model - portrait painting class.

Class 5. Finding your unique palette

Honing and refining your palette in relation to your resources and themes. Colour theory intermediate and advanced glazing in various oil mediums

Working from a live model - incorporation into sketchbook, compositions, existing themes in your work.

Class 6. Painting from a model - painting the modern portrait in oil - class with a live model. Continued painting and finishing of paintings.

Further information

Course will prepare you to study Arts at university. Sketchbook and portfolio preparation.

Course will prepare you to work independently as an artist and fulfil your painting and artistic visions.

Questions about the course content please contact us at info@burntsiennaberlin.com


Selection of paintings below by Louise Lenz geb. THOMAS.