DIY Da Vinci Canvas Clock And Free Printable

For some crazy reason, I’ve been on a time-focused crafty mission lately. If I’m not making miniature grandfather clocks then I’m channeling my inner muse to put together a Da Vinci canvas clock.

And unlike the grandfather clock, this one can be made in less than 1/2 hour. It’s one of those super easy do-it-yourself, functional décor ideas. And since it’s homemade, you’re pretty much guaranteed that it will be unique too.

And if Da Vinci doesn’t quite fit in with your décor style, you can use any picture or even hand paint a clock face. The possibilities are endless.

Right, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

• A deep edge square canvas
• A clock mechanism and clock hands
• Free Da Vinci styled clock printable
• Matt Mod Podge or craft glue
• Craft paint
• Distressing inks (optional)

How to turn a canvas into Da Vinci styled clock

Download the free Da Vinci-styled clock and print it on good-quality paper. You may need to resize the printable to fit on your canvas. The canvas I had on hand was 30,5mm by 30,5 mm (12″ x 12″), and our printer doesn’t print that wide. I had my Da Vinci clock done at a local print shop. Unfortunately, they had no idea how to resize a picture. Ugh!! I had to settle for a printed image that was about 5 mm smaller than the canvas. Double UGH!!!

Hopefully, your print shop is a little more clued up. Anyways, in my humble opinion, paint fixes everything. To tone down the stark white canvas, I used a little brown craft paint to harmonize the print and the canvas.

Artistry Ink was applied over the paint to give it interest and depth.

To seal the ink and prevent bleed-through and/or smudging, seal with a clear, matt sealer.

Once the sealer dries, cut out the Da Vinci styled clock face and mod podge it onto the canvas.

Pro Tip: To avoid wrinkles, I found it is best to do a section at a time, starting at the top and working my way down. Roll the picture up so the Da Vinci clock printable faces inwards. Apply a 2” – 3” section of mod podge to the canvas, line up the printable, and roll it down onto the mod podge section. Wait about 10 minutes for it to dry, and then repeat working your way down the canvas. Use paper clips to keep the roll “rolled up” and a credit card to smooth the printable as you go. It does take a bit longer, but it will save you from ripping the whole thing off when those dreaded wrinkles and bubbles raise their ugly little heads.  

Adding the clock mechanism

Once the Da Vinci clock has been glued down, we can add the battery-operated clock mechanism. If you’ve never replaced one, then this video will help out. I used a hole punch to make a hole in the center of the clock face. If you don’t have a hole punch, a sharp skewer will work too 😉

Flip the canvas over and insert the shaft on the clock mechanism into the hole. If you’re worried that the canvas will sag under the weight of the mechanism, place a piece of sturdy cardboard between the back of the canvas and the mechanism. Oh, BTW, did you know that a deep-edge canvas is perfect for making a magical fairy forest?

Anyhoos, flip the canvas over again and slide the brass washer over the shaft, followed by the dial mounting hex nut.

Gently press the hour hand onto the shaft, followed by the minute hand. Insert the cap nut to secure.

And that’s all there is to making a Da Vinci canvas clock. Easy, right?!!

I haven’t figured out where to hang this one yet. So, for now, it’s resting on a small wooden stool. Using a thick square canvas makes it easy to balance.

Plus, I really love the chunkiness of this type of canvas.

Not only is turning a canvas into a clock a unique and functional way to display the time, but the possibilities to customize the theme or style are endless.

If you like the idea of making a Da Vinci canvas clock, don’t forget to pin the tutorial for later.

Sharing is caring 😉

Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then perhaps, you’ll enjoy these.

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.