Learn Portraiture & More in the Heart of Berlin
BPA offers flexible, affordable training in realist portraiture, rooted in the classical Atelier tradition.
Our courses focus on oil painting—the preferred medium of portrait artists for centuries—valued for its versatility, depth, and timeless appeal.
In proud association with
Discover the Program
Introduction to Realist Painting
Painting realism begins by learning to see, interpret, and simplify the infinite complexity of the world around us. Using comparative measurement and breaking elements down into clearly defined shades (values), we can organize what we see using structured, repeatable steps so that we don’t get overwhelmed.
Sundays: 11am - 2:00pm
Mondays: 6:45pm - 9:45pm
€30 per session, or ten sessions for €280
2. Intermediate Portrait in Oils
Once the fundamentals have been understood, we apply what has been learned to painting the human face. Starting with the skull, muscle anatomy and planes of the head, we progress to lifelike 3D casts of human faces. Mastering values comes before exploring color via studies of the masters such as John Singer Sargent and Anders Zorn.
Sundays: 11am - 2:00pm
Mondays: 6:45pm - 9:45pm
€30 per session, or ten sessions for €280
3. The Alla Prima Portrait from Life
"Alla prima" is an Italian phrase that translates to "at first attempt" or "at once." In painting, it refers to a technique where a painting is completed in a single session, often with a wet-on-wet approach, where layers of paint are applied while still wet.
Coming in 2025, register your interest for updates
Also Offering Drop-In Untutored Sessions
FREE Portrait Café on Sundays
Just buy a drink form the Café, and if you are able, leave a voluntary donation to help us pay the model and keep running!
Registration essential due to space limitations.
- Or -
Long Pose Nude Life Drawing / Portrait Painting on Wednesdays
A single long nude pose, draw or paint as many angles as you like, or focus just on the portrait.
€15 Drop-In or €13 Registration via email or Meetup.com
- Or -
About the Tutor, Peter Kasim
Peter Najad Kasim is a professional 2D and 3D character animator, art tutor, and classically trained draftsman and oil painter. Drawn to the expressive power of art since childhood, he went on to animate for major film and video game projects, including The Hobbit Trilogy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Disney’s The Jungle Book, and Grand Theft Auto V.
Peter’s animation and traditional art practices are interconnected. Working in oil and charcoal offers both observational refinement and a meditative, hands-on creative process.
In 2018, he received the Next Generation Fund from London Fine Art Studios for his work in charcoal and oil, an experience that shaped his technique and artistic path. He also studied under master portrait painter Alex Tsavaras, whose mentorship continues to inspire his painting.
Follow on social
Contact Us
Interested in taking your painting skills to the next level? Send us an email to enquire and stay up to date on new offers and announcements.