Rodríguez studied sculpture under the Venezuelan Santiago González (1850–1909) in Guatemala.
[1][2] In Spain he became acquainted with the work of the impressionist Joaquín Sorolla, which would influence most of his pictorial production.
Although impressionism was already a style that had ceased to be in force in Europe, Rodríguez Padilla professed a deep admiration for the Spanish artist, whose mark can be perceived in all his pictorial production.
His first period, before his trip to Spain, was characterized by painting in dark tones.
Later, as a great colorist, he knew how to imprint his works with shades and atmospheres of extraordinary luminosity, especially in the portraits of different personalities of the time.