A native of southern China's Guangdong province, Gu Yuan sought advice from villagers on whether he had given accurate depictions of the various aspects of rural life in Shaanxi, in northwestern China. For example, when he portrayed a shepherd and a herd of sheep, people suggested he add a dog as herdsmen used them to keep wolves at bay. They also suggested the herdsman should carry a sack on his back, which was commonplace, as they used them to carry lambs in after ewes gave birth.

His body of work conveys a distinctive feeling of simplicity and gentleness, just like the impression he left on others.

Gu Yuan once wrote a poem: "A boy from the south, I arrived in northern Shaanxi to seek truth; the time flies by and I am almost 70, while I am a clumsy old man, I still embrace the same passion."

Wang Huaxiang, a professor who heads the Central Academy of Fine Arts' department of print art, says: "Throughout his life, Gu Yuan showed to people that an artist should be genuine so that he can find truth in beauty, and an artist who is concerned with people and social issues is someone who has love in his heart."