Liam Payne has been wowing us with his vocal talents for well over a decade now, but one skill he’s kept relatively hidden is his ability to paint.
But the 29-year-old has now revealed he has spent a painstaking 50 hours painting a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II in a tribute to her three months after her death.
The Queen died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, with an outpouring of tributes from celebrities – and Metro readers – for the late monarch.
Former One Direction star Liam – who recently revealed he didn’t leave the house for ‘three months’ after his fans ‘turned on’ him – took to social media to share a glimpse at his latest artwork which, after an incredible 50 hours of work, is still unfinished.
Posting the piece of art to his 24.6million Instagram followers, the dad-of-one wrote: ‘Unfinished oil canvas I painted of the queen… this is 4.5 feet tall and took about 50 hours… RIP HRH.’
In the painting, a youthful Queen can be seen wearing a green dress with a white sash as the State Diadem sits atop her head.
The State Diadem is a diamond crown that was made for King George IV in 1820 – over 100 years before The Queen was coronated.
Although many may be surprised by Liam’s seemingly hidden skill, his fans will remember how he made a similar tribute to The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, when he died at the age of 99 last year.
Ahead of Philip’s funeral last April, Liam shared his watercolour portrait of the prince in his younger years, wearing his Navy uniform.
‘Rest in peace HRH Prince Philip. Small tribute to you, thank you for your service,’ he wrote over a video of his creation.
Teasing his work in the lead-up to the final product, he shared a drawing of a head, writing: ‘Beginning something really special I hope.’
The former X Factor finalist then shared an image of his drawing of the Duke of Edinburgh, writing ‘hours later ready for water colour,’ before showing off the result.
Following her funeral in September, The Queen was interred with her husband in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.