Berlin Portrait Academy Longo, silhouette of a head next to the letters 'BPA' inside a paint palette icon.

Learn to Paint Portraits & 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

Logo of PAKD Art Lab Berlin with abstract black splatter background and text in white.
PAKD Gallery Berlin logo with stylized text design on a white background.

Discover the Program

A series of still life oil paintings featuring a skull, a torso sculpture, a bowl of lemons, pink and yellow flowers, and a silver teapot with a cup. Each subject is depicted with realistic detail and shadow.

  1. 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

Portrait painting progression of a person's head and shoulders, showcasing four stages from abstract shapes to a detailed realistic rendering.

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

Split image of a color photo and a grayscale painting of a man with long hair and mustache

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

A promotional poster for "Sunday Portrait Cafe," featuring twelve painted portraits of diverse people. The text reads: "Free! Sunday Portrait Cafe. Come meet, draw & paint with us every week." The event is held every Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00 at An der Mole 9, 10317 Berlin, Ostkreuz. Details and registration are available at www.pakd-gallery.com/artlab. The background is blue with yellow accents and includes a QR code.

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 -

Collection of five nude figure paintings showcasing different artistic styles and techniques, with emphasis on shading and form.

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 -

What Students Say

  • “I have attended the class about 7 times and have always had a great experience with Peter as a teacher: great communication, good time management, technique and tips. I can definitely say that my oil painting skills have improved a lot!”

    — Thales

  • “A very enriching, fun and calming experience. I took beginner oil painting classes with Peter, who is a remarkable teacher, very friendly and whose expertise and patience with beginners made the learning process feel seamless and consistently productive. In just 1 class I could see a major difference in my thinking in terms of perspectives, lights and shadows. I signed up for a long term class package without a second thought, & can only highly recommend.”

    — Sanchi

  • “Excellent experience! The classes are for students of all abilities. Peter does a great job of adapting the content to your individual level. He is always present and ready to help. I truly recommend it!”

    — Mel

  • "Wonderful oil painting class! Peter is a great teacher, supportive and clear in his explanations. I will definitely come back!"

    — Julia

  • "Very nice and friendly and relaxed learning experience, my art took a leap forward after a few classes, I am very thankful."

    — Osama

  • "Traditional figurative oil painting can be daunting and frustrating but Peter's methodical teaching will provide you with a clear path and a structured process to enjoy this craft!"

    Laurent

About the Tutor, Peter Kasim

Peter Najad Kasim is a professional 2D and 3D character animator, art tutor, and traditionally trained draftsman and oil painter. Drawn strongly to the visual arts since childhood, he went on to animate characters 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.

Man with a beard and short hair, wearing a black hoodie and jacket, indoors, looking at camera.

Follow on social

Silhouette of a seated man in a suit with a hat, facing to the side, holding one hand near the chin.

Contact Us

Interested in taking your painting skills to the next level? Send us an email with any enquiries about the courses.