Born into the family of a merchant, Nikola Marinov had the chance to complete his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts of Turin, Italy. He graduated with distinction in 1903, and in 1907 he returned to Sofia, becoming part of the art scene. He exhibited his works in collective exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. Between 1921 and 1941, he was a professor of painting at the National Academy of Art, Sofia, Sofia, of which he was the Dean between 1935 and 1937.