Born in Guanzxi, previously named Shixiang, and pseudonym of Ludi. Tu Ke entered the Oil Painting Faculty of Hangzhou National Art School in 1935. He was president of SuZhong Pictorial, vice president of Jianghuai Pictorial, art director of Shandong Pictorial, art section chief of the Shanghai Cultural Bureau, educational chief and Dean of Oil Painting and Sculpture at the Shanghai Art School, manager of Shanghai Art Design Company, secretary-general of Shanghai Pictorial, vice headmaster of Guangxi Painting and Calligraphy Academy, council member of China Artists' Association, chairman of Guangxi Branch of China Artists' Association and vice chairman of Guangxi Culture Union.

He is a well-known painter, art educator, aestheticist and composer. Ke has rich knowledge and superb skills in oil painting, watercolor, traditional Chinese painting and engraving. Early work was figurative, while from the early 60's, he began exploring landscape painting, founding the "Semi-Tropical Sect"as a result. Ke's work blends concise composition with subtle, elegant and emotional tone, in a thoroughly modern manner. His mature style marries various watercolor techniques with a traditional Chinese painting style such that an organic synthesis of line and image is achieved whose harmony, rhythm and modality is extremely aesthetic pleasing.

Among his works, over 160 have been collected by China Military Museum, China History Museum, China Art Gallery, Nanjing Military Museum, Guangxi Museum, Jiangsu Museum and International Culture and Arts Center (US), and about 60 are collected by Tokyo art institutions and individual collectors. Published albums include: "Waves of Jianghuai"; "Ke Album"; "Ke Collection" and "Guilin Landscapes".

He enrolled in Hangzhou National Art School in 1935 but gave up his study in order to join the 4th Army Corps. His broad knowledge in arts made him a famous painter, art educator, esthetician, and composer. Portrait is the main focus of his early career. In the 60's, he concentrated on sceneries and established "The Subtropics Picture Faction." He was assigned as the general manager of the Shanghai Art Workshop (renamed as Shanghai Art Designing Compan) in 1949, a section chief of Shanghai Cultural Bureau during 1953 to 1963, a manager of China East Artist Association, a permanent director of Shanghai Musician Association, etc.