After his confirmation, he came to Bergen, like so many other northerners. He became a pupil of the painter Anders Askevold, at the same time as he trained as a photographer.
His cousin Adelsten Normann encouraged him to pursue an artistic career, and in 1876 he travelled to Düsseldorf where he studied under Eugene Ducker.
Juul never made his breakthrough as a painter in his time. He made a living as a photographer in the winter and painted in the summer. In an article about newly discovered painters from 1915, Alf Harbitz writes: “He still paints as diligently as ever, the old man of honour.
“He dwells alone, he is kind to people, but does not seek them.”
Today, Ole Juul is considered a significant North Norwegian painter. He is buried in Kabelvåg cemetery.
