Leonardo Da Vinci took 12 years to paint the lips of the Mona Lisa

If you ever think that your creative project is dragging on, just remember this fact and put your mind at ease. Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the greatest inventors and creative minds of all time, first began the Mona Lisa painting in 1503. He carried it wherever he went and worked on it constantly, and many art historians believe it took him over 12 years just to paint the infamous smirk of Mona Lisa’s mouth. Just imagine trying to paint one body part for over a decade!