Artist, 81, takes four years to paint Mona Lisa's smile (From The Argus)

Artist, 81, takes four years to paint Mona Lisa's smile

4:42pm Sunday 8th June 2008 in

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Madcap artist John Williams has finished his painting of the Mona Lisa - after taking four and a half years getting her famous smile right.

Amateur artist John has spent 1,500 hours perfecting the Da Vinci masterpiece.

He even vowed to destroy the canvas if it was not completed by the time he turned 81.

But the amateur artist finally finished emulating the captivating lips just days before his birthday - hanging the picture on his living room wall.

He said: "The painting was becoming an obsession. Every time I looked at it I could see something which needed changing or touching up.

"I said I would throw it away if I did not complete it by my 81st birthday. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life on this picture.

"I'm relieved it's finished. I'll hang it on the wall for a while then I'll put it in storage with the rest of my paintings."

Mr Williams, who turned 81 on Wednesday, spent about two hours every couple of days trying to recreating Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece.

The father of two, of Hermits Road, Three Bridges, started the Mona Lisa painting to improve his technique and impress his two teenage grandchildren.

But it is not the first copy of a great master's work he has attempted.

When The Hawth Theatre in Crawley showcased 2003 film 'Girl With A Pearl Earring', his copy of the famous Vermeer painting was displayed in the foyer.

He said: "Copying old masters is a great way to learn. The closer you get to the original shows how much you are improving.

"If you are a granddad you like to be interesting to the family. You have to have interesting hobbies or you become a vegetable.

"In the older days a granddad sat in his chair eating biscuits but today you have to keep living and stay active.

"I'm of the philosophy that you are never too old to learn.

Mr Williams, an amateur pilot and former foreign correspondent, began painting in 1956 at evening classes while living in Manchester.

He added: "I'm of the philosophy that you are never too old to learn. But I don't think I'll ever again spend so long on another painting."