Li Cheng, Fan Kuan, and Guan Tong became known as the "three great rival artists".

His grandfather lived during the Huang Chao Rebellion of the 870s, and eventually the family fled during the tumultuous end period of the Tang dynasty.

[1] He learned painting from Jing Hao and Guan Tong before turning to focus on nature and developing his own style.

[2] He was also a poet and literary stylist, but regarded these as secondary endeavors, and he did not seek government office.

Sun then paid an acquaintance of Li Cheng to steal a painting, earning the artist's lifelong enmity.