U San Hlaing was interested in painting since young. But he could not buy pencils, brushes, paints and papers for practicing drawings because of his parents’ poverty. He used to practice drawing on the ground with a stick. He practiced like that again and again. Sometimes, he practiced on the floor and on the window panels.

Then he got a chance to study about paintings under Saya Hmat. In 1938, at the age of 14, he got contact with U Ba Tun (British Burma Films Company) and U Aung Zan (A-1 Films) by his elder brother’s connection. Then, he started drawing film poster and advertisements under the guidance of Artist U Khin Ohn.

Afterwards, he studied under Saya U Thein Nyunt who was an expert in both watercolor and oil paintings, also a well-versed in Myanmar Culture. He received the foundations of Traditional Myanmar Works from Saya U Thein Nyunt. Later, he continued studying under the well-known artist Saya U Ngwe Gaing and Saya U Hla Mg Gyi in Yangon.

Since at the age of 13 and 14, U San Hlaing earned money from painting. He had done odd jobs and from those he supported his parents.

“I worked once as a porter, selling newspaper etc., to earn money. When I got five kyats a month, I can send back those earnings to my parents”, U San Hlaing told one of the interviews.

Although he is a found of reading, he cannot afford to buy books due to his poverty. Therefore, he often visited to the library and making friends with the librarians to borrow the books.

He started joining the Burma Defense Army (BDA) in Pyapon when World War (II) spread to Myanmar. In 1943, his posting was at Yangon War Minister’s Office. He was on sentry duty at the guard post. Later, he was sent to Mingaladon Training Corps (1). He joined the Guerilla (1001) Forces and fought along with brigade (106O in the revolution against the Fascists. He took part in Yangon Conquest Fighting and Sittaung Plataue Fighting. After the war, he went back to Pyapon and continued painting as he used to. In 1946, he joined the armed forces again. He quitted from the armed forces about a year later.

He joined people’s Comrade Corps, which was led by General Aung San. He became the General Secretary of people’s Comrade Corps in Pyapon. After General Aung San and his colleagues were assassinated in 1947, he joined the Regiment (2) which is led by Officer Bo Min Gaung. He served almost a year as a port of sergeant. Later, he quitted and founded “San Hlaing’s Art Studio” in 27^th Street, Yangon and became a professional artist.

In 27^th. March. 1959, U San Hlaing received Maw Kun Win Award Grade (1) because of his sacrifices to the Burma’s independence. This award was given to 1513 persons, and he was one of them.He got married with Daw Tin Aung in 1947 and had eight children.