Etcher, draughtsman, illustrator, and painter known for his architectural studies and compositions, Ian Strang was born on April 11, 1886 in London. Son of Scottish artist William Strang, and brother of artist David Strang, he studied at the Slade School of London under Henry Tonks and Frederick Brown from 1902 to 1906, and then at the Academie Julian under J.P. Laurens (1906-1908). He also visited and studied in Italy, Belgium, Spain and Sicily, and held his first solo exhibition at the Goupil Gallery in 1914. That same year he served in World War I in the Middlesex and Royal Berkshire Regiments, fighting in battles in the infantry and then working as a camouflage officer until his demobilization in1919, during which he produced many works. After the war he returned to civilian life, where he once more began pursuing his art career.

He became a member of the Faculty for Engraving at the British School in Rome, through which he published the Students' Book of Etching in 1938. Well known as an etcher, his early works included drypoint to convey tonality, but in his later works he used pure etching techniques to achieve the desired effect. Strang died at Wavendon, Buckinghamshire on 23 March 1952. A memorial exhibition was held at the Leicester Galleries in 1952.

Exhibitions include the Royal Academy from 1923; N.E.A.C. from 1919. A.R.E. 1925, R.E. 1930. Illustrated Town and Country in Southern France by his wife Frances Strang 1937. He was author of The Student's Book of Etching 1938.