Zhao Wenfa (1933) was from Potou, Hebei Province. He graduated from the Chinese Painting Department of the Xi'an Art Academy in 1958. In the following years, he taught at the department he graduated from; worked in the cultural center of Jiaohe District, Hebei Province; headed the art section of the Potou Municipal Art Institute, Hebei Province; and became head of the Cangzhou Art Academy.

Zhao was known for his Chinese paintings.