Born in Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province, Feng was an influential Chinese painter and pioneering manhua artist. He graduated from the Hangzhou High School. In his early years, he was taught by the accomplished Hong Yi. In 1921, Feng travelled to Japan to further his studies. After he returned to China, he taught art and music in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Chongqing respectively, and became the editor of Kaiming Publishing House.Feng wrote extensively on various topics, including literature, painting, music, translation and calligraphy. Among Feng's numerous creations, his most famous works include short essay collections, such as Yuan-Yuan Tang Sui Bi, Yuan-Yuan Tang Zai Bi, Chexiang Shehui and Shuai Zhen Ji; cartoon collections, like Zikai Cartoons, Children's Cartoons; and translated works, including Diary of a Hunter and The Tale of Genji.The Feng Zikai Chinese Children's Picture Book Award, launched in 2009 to promote Chinese children's picture books, is named in honour of the artist.