In those days, painting was not considered to be important in earning a living, so although Chen practiced calligraphy, he was not taught painting.
陳其寬於民國十年，出生在北平一個書香世家。他自小受私塾教育，每天讀四書五經，並練書法。紮實的書法訓練，奠下他日後繪畫的基礎。