Yi Da’an, who styled himself as Tingxi, Jifu, later known as Yi Mingru, was a native of Heshan, Guangdong province, a seal carver and a music educator. He began his higher education at Guangya College, then transferred to the Shanghai Aurora University, and later continued his studies in Japan. Yi was a polymath who was fluent in English, French, and Japanese, well versed in ancient texts and poetry, and accomplished in painting, calligraphy, as well as engraving. Upon returning to China, he taught at many institutions, including the Shanghai Conservatory, Jinan University, and Beijing Normal University. Together with Huang Binhong, they established the South China Printing Society and the Jinshi Painting and Calligraphy Society to promote acclaimed works to the public.

He Jue, who styled himself as Mengfu, was a native of Shunde, Guangdong province. A collector of Guangdong calligraphy and painting relics, He later settled in Hong Kong and was accomplished in composing poetry.

He Man’an, a native of Panyu, Guangdong province, was an important collector of Chinese paintings and calligraphy in the Lingnan region. The name of his studio was Lingbi Shanfang and he was especially fond of collecting artworks by Lingnan masters, literati and politicians.