本名常有书，1900年10月14日生于四川顺庆的富商家庭，1910年即与赵熙习画，长于书法的他，1917年入上海美术学校就读，1919年常玉与徐悲鸿、林凤眠以留法勤工俭学的方式前往巴黎，并于1919年赴日时在东京展出其书法作品，而获当地杂志刊载推荐。常玉自20岁(1920年)赴法勤工俭学到巴黎，至67岁辞世，大致都住在巴黎，仅于1938年短期回国。1921年与徐悲鸿、张道藩等留法学生组织“天狗会”。1925年作品入选法国秋季沙龙。1931年为法文版《陶潜诗集》作插图。1932年被列入《1910－1930当代艺术家生平辞典》第三卷。1933年在阿姆斯特丹举办画展。1938年因兄丧返国，同年返回法国。1948年由法国赴美，居留美国纽约。1950年在纽约举办画展，次年返回巴黎。1955年作品参加巴黎独立沙龙。1964年应台湾教育部邀请，在台举办个展。1965年在巴黎友人家中举办个展。1966年因煤气中毒，去世于巴黎寓所。他是早期知名海外画家之一，亦是近代中国画坛的一个异数，因为他擅长画画，却是以顽童心理、游戏心情在作画。他画画不讲究书法、画理，而是随性所之、随兴所至，画他的好恶、画他的心情。绘画对常玉而言是一种情感的自然发泄。常玉从最熟悉的中国艺术投入另一个崭新的西洋艺术领域，以中国绘画的基础不断地摸索追求，巴黎艺术派别林立，艺术家各领风骚，终于成就常玉简练流畅的特殊绘画风格。

This name often has a book, was born at Sichuan to arrange the wealthy businessman family that celebrate on October 14, 1900, drew with Zhao Xi be used to namely 1910, long at calligraphic he, read into Shanghai art school 1917, 1919 Chang Yu and Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian Paris is gone to in order to remain a way before the means of part-work and part-study system, went to 1919 its calligraphy work exhibits in Tokyo when day, and obtain local magazine to publish recommend. Chang Yu from 20 years old? (1920) the part-work and part-study system that go to a law goes to Paris, to world of 67 years old of demit, live in Paris roughly, only 1938 short-term go back to the motherland. Waited with Xu Beihong, Zhang Daofan 1921 leave Templar to organize " day dog is met " . ? Work is selected 1925 French autumn salon. Was French edition 1931 " Tao Qian peotry anthology " make plate. Was included 1932 " 1910 - dictionary of life of 1930 contemporary artists " the 3rd. Art exhibition was held in the Amsterdam 1933. Returned a country because of elder brother funeral 1938, of the same age returns France. Went to the United States by France 1948, new York of resident United States. Art exhibition was held in new York 1950, returned Paris second year. Work attended Parisian independence salon 1955. Answered 1964 Taiwan Ministry of Education invites, hold in the stage exhibit. Held in Parisian friend home 1965 exhibit. 1966 because of gas and toxic, die at Parisian abode. He is one of inchoate and famous abroad artists, also be the number of a different of altar of latter-day China picture, because he is good at a picture, it is with imp psychology, game the mood is making a picture however. He draws a picture not to pay attention to texture of calligraphy, picture, follow sexual place however, along with promote place to come, draw the his likes and dislikes, mood that draws him. Brushwork is to a kind of affective abreacts naturally Chang Yu. Chang Yu throws another brand-new western art domain from the most familiar China art, with China painterly foundation fumbles ceaselessly pursuit, parisian art group is bristly, the artist is gotten each coquettish, make Changyu's succinct and smooth special and painterly style eventually.