Li Kuchan was born into a poor peasant family in
Gaotang County,
Shandong Province. In 1918, he met the painter
Xu Beihong and was taught Western painting techniques. In 1922, he enrolled in the Western Painting Department of the National Art Specialized School in
Beiping (now
Beijing). In 1923, Li Kuchan became the first disciple of
Qi Baishi. From then on, he embarked on the path of exploring the integration of Chinese and Western art to reform traditional
Chinese painting. Under the careful guidance of Qi Baishi, his artistic skills improved significantly in 1924. Later, he founded the "Nine Friends Art Society" at the National Art Specialized School, with the nine friends being Li Kuchan, Wang Xuetao, Wang Zhongnian, Xu Peixia, Sun Gongfu, He Jixiang, Yan Ailan, Yan Bolong, and Yuan Zhongyi. In the 1930s and 1940s, he, along with Jiang Yunong, Wang Qingfang, and Bai Duozhai, were collectively known as the "Four Eccentrics of Beijing". Li Kuchan died suddenly due to a
heart attack on June 11, 1983, at the age of 86. == Art achievement ==