He was born to a working-class family and, at the age of eighteen, had to take a job as an assistant in the local railway office rather than pursue his education.

During this time, he attended night classes in drawing at the Academy of Fine Arts in San Telmo, taught by Bernardo Ferrándiz, who noted his exceptional abilities with watercolors.

Between 1902 and 1903, he temporarily served as Director there, and made the acquaintance of Antonio Muñoz Degrain, who had a significant influence on his mature style.

Degrain also urged him to move to Madrid, on several occasions, but he chose to remain in his hometown.

He was also awarded gold medals at the Vatican Exhibition of 1888 and the Exposición Internacional of 1892, held in Madrid.