Create Your Urban Mona Lisa: The Art of the Easy Stencil with John Beckley

Welcome to the creative backstage where artist John Beckley brings to life "Urban Mona", a vibrant, urban interpretation of Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa, seamlessly blending Pop Art and Street Art. Guided by stencil, spray and acrylic, we plunge into a colourful journey through the creative process, discovering every step of the way how a blank canvas is transformed into a bold, expressive work of art.

The Origins and Inspirations of the Work

The immortal Mona Lisa, capturing viewers with her enigmatic gaze for centuries, here becomes a muse for modern artistic exploration. Drawing on the energy of Street Art and the vivacity of Pop Art, John Beckley reinvents this classic, giving it a new existence on canvas in "Urban Mona".

Creation Step: Transforming a Stencil into an Inspiring Work of Art with John Beckley

Step One: Drawing the Outlines To kick off our art project, John carefully positioned the stencil on the canvas, then delicately traced the outline of the Mona Lisa with a pencil, establishing a guide for the placement of the colours to come.

Step Two: Creating a shaded background Next, John set about creating an exquisite background, opting for a shaded grey that would subtly bring out the bright colours he had in mind for the later stages.

Stage Three: Integration of Street Art elements Our artist then introduced street art-inspired colours and elements into the background, using spray paint to incorporate graffiti-like words and shapes, infusing the work with a visual narrative.

The elements of street art that John inserts into the background are not simply decorative; they are a tribute to the roots of urban style, and an attempt to capture the very essence of the street: an anarchic yet beautifully organised celebration of life, art and self-expression. This background is not simply a canvas; it becomes an urban wall that, through time and space, has witnessed multiple passages and diverse artistic expressions.

Imagine the backdrop as a wall that has quietly witnessed generations of street artists applying their own marks, messages and colours, overlaying each other, mixing styles, eras and voices into a single, collectively rich and historically dense work of art. By adding these elements of street art to his work, John is not just creating; he is honouring an artistic heritage, telling a story, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in a world where art and history coexist in beautiful balance.

Each splash of colour, each word or shape evoking a word, is a trace, an echo of an artistic voice that once made this wall, this background, vibrate. By using this complex, multiform background, John positions the Mona Lisa not in a museum, but in the street, making it accessible, alive and current.

There, in the midst of this ordered chaos, the serene and enigmatic face of the Mona Lisa emerges, creating a striking contrast and a fascinating cohabitation between eras, styles and worlds. John's process, while methodical, is also intuitive and free, allowing the elements to intertwine organically, giving life to a space where the classical and the contemporary dance in an eternal embrace.

And so, through the various stages and layers of paint, we witness the birth of a work that combines respect for classical art with a love of the contemporary, demonstrating that art, in all its forms, is truly timeless and universal.

Stage Four: Bringing the Mona Lisa to life Carefully, John put the stencil back down and applied a can of black spray paint to reveal the silhouette of the Mona Lisa. Weights such as washers can be used to hold the stencil in place and ensure clean edges, or omitted for a more raw, punk effect.

Step Five: Detailed colouring John then carefully added bright colours within the design, using shades of red, yellow and orange for the clothes, and skin tones for the face, with particular attention to detail to create volume and depth.

In his urban reinterpretation of the Mona Lisa, John's choice of colours for the face was crucial. He was able to capture Mona's mystique while infusing her with a contemporary energy. For the face, John opted for specific shades that provided depth, contrast and that unique urban touch. If you're inspired by his work and want to replicate the same shades, we've got good news! Click on the button below to buy exactly the same paint cans that John used.

Step Six: Incorporating "Mona At this stage, John introduced a 'Mona' stencil, also available in our shop, cleverly positioned behind the main image.

Stage Seven: Consolidating the black John replaced the stencil and sprayed a fresh coat of black paint to reinforce the shaded areas of the work.

Step Eight: Adding "Lisa Continuing to add detail, he positioned and painted the 'Lisa' stencil over the main image, another item found in our shop, while taking care to protect the rest of the canvas.

Step Nine: Accentuating facial detail The work continued with the addition of black paint to add even more volume to the Mona Lisa's face, emphasising her delicate features.

Step Ten: Finishing with a Modern Touch Finally, John layered additional elements inspired by street art and graffiti, again using spray paint cans to infuse the artwork with a contemporary urban energy.

John Beckley's Urban Mona Lisa - A Captivating Artistic Journey!

John Beckley's reimagined Mona Lisa is not just a work of art; it's a vibrant chapter in a fascinating creative adventure! 🚀🖌️ By skilfully blending the ancient with the modern, John has not only respected the quintessence of the Mona Lisa but also breathed new life into her, making her look eternally contemporary and uniquely urban.

And here's the great news: You can create your own masterpiece by following the same steps! 🎨

Imagine bringing your own interpretation, your own personal touch to this iconic face. It's a space where tradition meets your individuality, where each splash of paint symbolises your creative freedom.

Go for it, trust your artistic process and create your own Mona Lisa that will not only be a tribute to this timeless classic but also a dazzling reflection of your own history and style. 💖

Let John inspire you and enter a world where classic art and the spirit of street art become one. 🌟 Your canvas is waiting for you, and we can't wait to see where your creativity takes you! 🎉👩‍🎨

Adopt your own "Urban Mona"! 🎨✨

Want to create your own Urban Mona Lisa on canvas? It's now possible with our made-to-measure stencils, designed with precision and passion to make your creative process easier!

We offer you two different framings from the Mona Lisa stencil, each offering a unique artistic perspective to allow you to explore and manifest your creative visions in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer a close-up of a face or a broader overview, our stencils are there to guide you on your artistic adventure.

And that's not all: by opting for one of our stencilsNot only will you benefit from a quality tool for your art, but you'll also have a gateway to the creation of your own iconic piece of urban art, in the image of the majestic Mona Lisa. Make your choice below and start your Pop & Street Art adventure with elegance and originality!

PS: John used the stencil reference PA0010 in 70 x 100cm

Add a personal touch to your artwork with our new "Mona", "Lisa" and "Mona Lisa" word stencils, in vibrant graffiti style! Add character to your creations by incorporating these iconic words, perfect for communicating boldly and with originality through your art.

Links to John's training

If you feel inspired by John's techniques and want to explore them further, his painting course offers a deep dive into his creative process.

Conclusion and Encouragement for Interaction

Conclusion

"Urban Mona" is a fusion of worlds, a blend of the classical and the contemporary, and a fine example of what is possible when you allow yourself to be inspired by the past while being firmly rooted in the present. And what does it inspire in you?

Questions and comments

We'd love to see your own experiments and hear your thoughts on "Urban Mona". Do you have any questions about the process? Are there any other artists or works you'd like to see explored in this way? Share in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions - Your artistic adventure with the Urban Mona Lisa! 🎨🖌️

Q1 : Can I make my own version of the Urban Mona Lisa without any art experience? Absolutely! John Beckley guides you through each step with a clarity and simplicity that allows even beginners to create their own masterpiece. It's your turn to shine in the art world! 🌟

Q2: Where can I find the "Mona" and "Lisa" stencils mentioned in the steps? You can find these exclusive stencils in our online shop. They are designed to help you reproduce the key elements of this magnificent painting with precision and ease. 🛒

Q3: What type of paint is recommended for my Urban Mona Lisa? John uses mainly spray paint for this creation, but feel free to explore! Whether it's acrylic paint, oil paint, or something else, the important thing is to have fun and create! 🎨

Q4 : Do I have to follow the steps exactly or can I make my own changes? The steps serve as a guide, but your creativity is the star of the show! Feel free to play with colours, shapes and even steps. It's YOUR Mona Lisa after all! 🚀

Q5: How can I share my finished work with the community? We'd love to see your interpretation of the Urban Mona Lisa! Share your masterpiece on social media using the hashtag #MaMonaLisaUrbaine and don't forget to tag us so we can admire and share your work! 📸

Q6 : How can I preserve and care for my painting once it's finished? Consider a varnish finish to protect your work from the elements and keep the colours vibrant. Hang it away from direct sunlight and in a place where it can be admired by everyone. Your work is precious, so take good care of it! 🖼️

Q7 : Are there any other works or tutorials available to continue my artistic journey? You bet! Together with John, we've created a variety of tutorials and guides for different works of art. Visit our blog for more inspiration and continue this wonderful artistic adventure with us! 🚀🎨

Q8 : I have a specific question that isn't covered here. How can I ask it? We're here to help! Send us a message directly on our website or via our social networks, and we'll be happy to answer all your questions. 💌👩‍🎨

Go ahead and create, the art is yours! 🌈🖌️