Born in 1945 in Valencia, Spain, Jose Royo began demonstrating his artistic talent early. At the age of 9 his father, a prominent physician and avid art enthusiast, employed private tutors to instruct Royo in drawing, painting, and sculpture. When Royo turned 14 he entered the San Carlos Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Valencia. Upon turning 18 Royo continued his artistic studies privately with Aldolfo Ferrer Amblat, Chairman of Art Studies at the San Carlos Academy. He also visited the major museums in Europe at this time to study the famous masters-Velasquez, Goya, Renoir, Monet, and Sorolla among others.

During the mid-60's and early 70's, Royo added more dimension to his skills by creating theater sets and doing graphic illustration work. He also participated in several competitions, gaining major distinctions. In 1968, he began to exhibit in prestigious galleries in London, Madrid and Barcelona and received commissions to paint the royal portraits of the King and Queen. At the age or 25, Royo began feeling a growing desire to paint the land of his birth, conveying the light, color and intensity of the Mediterranean. This meant a new focus and change of style in his work. Beginning in 1989, we see the development of Royo's "matured style." His dramatic use of coloring and texturing capture his subject matter with unique flair. In a way rarely seen in today's art world, Royo's work conveys not merely image, but mood and atmosphere, as well.