He taught himself classic Chinese painting. He also focused on manhua, the Chinese cartoon style that incorporated the techniques of ink painting. He co-founded Shanghai Manhua, a weekly magazine, and was the chief editor of Time Pictorial. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), he joined other artists in a campaign to create cartoons to motivate people in the defense against invaders.

Ye's diverse career experiences rendered his works a dynamism and social depth.

In the early 1950s, Ye rose to the helm of the Chinese painting department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, a position he held until 1983. He then served as the deputy director of the China National Academy of Painting.