Cai Zhenhua (1912-2006) was born in Deqing, Zhejiang Province. New American illustration techniques aroused his interest in drawing and caricature. In 1929, he enrolled in the Hangzhou Xihu College for Fine Arts. After graduation, he moved to Shanghai, where he worked as an illustrator for numerous publishers, including the Commercial Press. After 1945, he worked as an independent designer.

After 1949, Cai contributed work to the Chinese-Soviet Friendship Hall in Shanghai, and interior designs for the Shanghai Room in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Cai, who retired in 1987, specialized in cartoon strips and propaganda paintings.

Cai cooperated with Ding Hao and Zhao Yannian.