FOR Julian Beever, creating a 3D illusion in Basingstoke’s Festival Place is truly a labour of love.

The talented street artist has been working for up to 10 hours a day this week to create a 3D Valentine’s Day-themed illusion in Festival Place, and he is set to finish his masterpiece today.

Shoppers have been watching Julian at work in Porchester Square, where he has been drawing his love-ly piece of art using chalk and pastels on raised tiles.

The 53-year-old first drew a 3D illusion 20 years ago, and has since impressed people around the world with his designs.

Explaining his art to The Gazette, he said: “It’s drawn in a distorted way so when you look at it from the right position or through a camera, it appears to be the correct shape and has a 3D form.

“This drawing is to celebrate Valentine’s Day and you can put real people into the drawing. When this is finished people will be able to be part of the art.”

The piece will include the word ‘love’ over the top of a lily pond. Julian, who is known as the “Pavement Picasso”, said it took him around two weeks to design the drawing on paper.

He added: “It’s quite a difficult theme because Festival Place wanted something a couple could pose on, and my brain was blank for quite some time!”

His work will be on display in Festival Place until Valentine’s Day, and couples are invited to take their own picture as part of the drawing for the chance to win a £100 Festival Place gift card.

Couples posing for pictures can upload them to Facebook and share them with the shopping centre, whose bosses will pick the winner.