Sun Wenchao (1935-2005) was born in Zhuozhou, Hebei Province. From 1953-1956, he studied in the Oil Painting Department of the Northeast China Art School. In 1956, he continued his studies at the Oil Painting Department of the Central Art Academy and in the following year, he started teaching in the Oil Painting Department of the Lu Xun Art Academy, where he was Associate Professor.

Sun's forte were oil paintings, some of which have been included in the collections of the former Chinese History Museum and the Museum of the Chinese People's Revolutionary Army.