In 1863, he began an apprenticeship with master painter Ernst Schmiegelow, who supported his artistic talent and helped him get into the Art Academy.

Brasen exhibited his works for the first time in 1871 and began to receive instructions from Eiler Rasmussen Eilersen with whom he travelled to Italy in 1876.

In 1879, he exhibited a large painting, Guard Hussars watering their horses, which won him the Academy's travel stipend.

He then set out for Northern Italy, first making a stop in Tyrol, then spending the winter in Paris where he studied under Léon Bonnat.

He later spent several summers in the Sørup on the southeastern shores of Lake Esrom where he painted the washerwomen.