While still a teenager, he began his painting studies at the Adolfo Berchenko Academy of Fine Arts, located in Concepción, where he was also initiated in the performing arts. In 1943 he was chosen from among the different students of the academy, along with Sergio Sotomayor, as assistant to the muralist and painter Gregorio de la Fuente for the prestigious mural Historia de Concepción (1943-1946), located in the former Central Station of Concepción, considered "treasure of the Civic Quarter", and declared a Historic Monument of Chile.
