How to Draw a Clock

Here we will show you how to draw a clock and give it a symmetrical circular shape and correctly depicting the numbers and hands.

When drawing a clock, an artist faces several tasks that must be handled correctly so the final drawing looks convincing and natural.

First, it’s important to depict the circular shape of the clock as symmetrically and accurately as possible. Then the numbers and markers need to be placed evenly and consistently.

And of course, the hands must be drawn in a natural way, and the entire drawing should show volume through the use of shadows.

In this step-by-step lesson, we will show you how to do all of this properly by applying classic academic drawing methods.

How to draw a clock step by step

Step 1: Mark the basic symmetry axes

To draw the circular shape of the clock as accurately and symmetrically as possible, start by marking the initial auxiliary lines. First, draw a straight vertical line running through the page. Then add a horizontal line that crosses the vertical line at its center. At all four ends of these lines, you can also place small notches to make it easier to define the edges later.

Step 2: Outline the main circular shape

Using the light auxiliary lines from the first step, draw the outer edge of the clock. To do this, sketch a clean circle that remains the same distance from the center on all sides. You can measure the distance from the center to each edge for maximum accuracy, or simply use a compass.

Step 3: Draw the rim of the clock

Next, give the clock some thickness by drawing the frame. This frame should be evenly spaced from the center and from the previous circle so the shape looks realistic and authentic. You can make this frame thicker or thinner depending on your preference.

Step 4: Erase all construction lines

Now comes a simple but very important step – you need to erase all previously marked auxiliary lines. Using an eraser, remove the intersecting lines from the first step, and then check the symmetry and accuracy of both circles before you begin adding any details.

Step 5: Mark the main hour markings

Clocks can have many different designs, but most often you’ll see clocks with numbers and additional markers for intermediate values. First, mark the main indicators – the ones at the top, bottom, left, and right. Then evenly place all the remaining markers around the circle, making sure they are also spaced evenly from the central point.

Step 6: Draw smaller intermediate hour markers

Now mark the additional values for each of the intermediate positions. To do this, draw smaller markers between the ones you placed earlier. These markers should all be the same size, evenly spaced from the center, and together form a clean, circular arrangement.

Step 7: Add the hour numerals

Now, following the same principle, mark the numbers. Here you can either draw the standard set of numbers or use Roman numerals. The shape and thickness of the numbers can also vary depending on your preference. The main thing is that these details are placed at an equal distance from the central point of the drawing so they form the correct clock shape.

Step 8: Draw the hands of the clock

Now it’s time to add the hands using clean, straight lines. From the central part of the drawing, first draw the thickest hand for the hours. Then draw the minute hand, which should be slightly thinner and longer than the hour hand. Finish by marking the thinnest hand for the seconds. You can use simple straight lines or make the hands more decorative by shaping them or adding small arrowheads at their ends.

Step 9: Correct the shapes and add shadows

Check the overall symmetry and accuracy of the clock drawing, erase all remaining auxiliary lines, and clean up all important details. Then, using basic principles of light and shadow, carefully apply hatching to the frame, keeping in mind the direction of the light.

 

In our clock drawing lesson, we used an academic but fairly simplified approach. We didn’t add extra details that could complicate the entire drawing process, in order to give our students more creative freedom.

After creating the basic outline of the clock as shown in our example, you can further refine and complicate the drawing as you see fit.

For instance, as mentioned in the lesson, you can make the hands more complex in shape, giving them pointed ends.

You can also draw the clock without a second hand, which is also quite common.

Another option is to try drawing the clock in different shapes, such as a square design or one with more decorative contours.

Adding highlights to the glass surface or creating more complex shadows with additional halftones is another way to expand your practice.

We should also note that clocks are an important element in many works of art. In different eras and cultures, clocks in drawings could carry different symbolic meanings – from emphasizing the fleeting nature of time to expressing other themes.

So by using this lesson, you can create your own additional context in a more complex composition, much like Dali did in some of his works.

For practicing specific skills related to drawing individual objects, be sure to visit our Objects category, where we have carefully broken down all significant items found in works of art and shown how to depict them in an academic manner.

This way, you can learn how to draw a book in an open or closed version or draw a candle and later include them in any of your own artworks.