Qin Tianjian (1936) is from Chaoyi, Shaanxi Province. In 1955, he graduated from the Fine Arts Department of the Northwest Art Academy and subsequently taught art classes at the Middle School attached to the Xi'an Art Academy and the Departments of Industrial Design and Oil Painting at the same Academy. In 1983, he became head of the Middle School attached to the Xi'an Art Academy.

Qin is known for his propaganda poster designs, some of which have been included in the collection of the China Art Gallery, and oil paintings.