Making Clocks

Video HERE

Although I didn't technically 'make' the clocks, I certainly put in quite a lot of work. These images really reflect my old style of art, bold and iconic animal images. Starting with an inexpensive box canvas and a cheap clock movement you too can create a bold image to satisfy your timekeeping needs...

You will need:
A Box Canvas (around 8x8" 20x20cm*)
A Clock Movement
An old book or other paper base
Thin PVA glue
Image of your choice
Tracing Paper
Pencil
Acrylic Paint
Sponge
Brushes
Ballpoint pen**
Varnish
PVC fabric
Double-Sided Tape
Stapler

*Square clocks look better with most images, although you might go for the lovebird look with a slanted frame if you like.
**Ideally a black pen, you can use permanent marker, but I find that you can lose the definition of the line when using a spray varnish, and sometimes wash out the ink with a water-based one. I would suggest that you do a quick test before starting.

Method:

1. Tear your paper into small squares and glue a layer of straight pieces in a grid. Allow to dry a bit, then add a second layer on the diagonal.* Dry completely.
2. Scale your image to fit nicely on the canvas, then trace the image onto tracing paper and transfer to the canvas. Mark where your clock centre will be. Draw over the outline and key details with a pen.
3. Sponge on a light layer of paint, blending and pushing into the paper to help create texture. Try and keep the density of colour consistent across the whole thing - within reason, there needs to be some variation otherwise it looks boring. Dry completely.
4. Paint the base coat colours of your image inside the faint outline you can see through the background. Dry completely.
5. If required, pick out the main lines and details before continuing to paint, building up colour and texture as you go. Once you're satisfied allow to dry completely.**
6. Using your choice of pen pick out the details in your image. You can either use the pen just to delineate shadows and contrast - like the lovebirds - or as the main detail outline - like the owl. If using a ballpoint pen I would suggest leaving this to dry overnight.
7. Apply a layer or two of finish.
8. Carefully cut through the canvas for the clock movement, then glue it into place.
9. Wrap the edges with PVC, folding it back to create a frame.
10. Press the clock hands into place - If you want you can paint them in a better contrasting colour using spray paint or nail varnish.

*Torn pieces blend together better than cut ones when doing paper mache, the torn fibres help the edges glue down flat without a stepped edge. I use the pieces of paper with text mainly on the top layer, with the plain ones underneath. The text doesn't come through the paint particularly well, but helps to create interesting shape and shading for the base layer.
**Acrylic paint is rather flexible when it comes to drying layers, HOWEVER, the layer of PVA on top of the paper creates something of a resist which can make it difficult to build up substantial layers without having them completely dry first.