Looking for a creative project you can easily do at home? Today I’m sharing how to paint shoes! With these five easy steps, you can customize your own pair of canvas shoes. I started painting shoes back in 2015 when I first opened my Etsy shop. Since then I’ve been painting Converse, Vans, Toms, and other canvas shoes for friends, family, and customers! It might sound intimidating to try painting your shoes but I can assure you it’s super easy! Read the steps below to learn how to add unique hand-painted designs such as sunflowers to your canvas shoes.
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SUPPLIES NEEDED
Step 1. Choose Your Shoes
You can use practically any canvas shoes to paint, such as converse, vans, toms, etc. I prefer to use high-top converse!
Step 2: Prep Your Shoes
Make sure your shoes are clean before painting. I like to wipe mine off with a wipe to remove any dust/dirt.
Once the shoes are clean line the edges with masking tape to ensure no paint gets on trim.
Step 3. Pick Your Design
This is the fun part! Get creative and choose a fun design to paint. Below is some of my work.
I get inspiration on Pinterest. Take a look at my arts and crafts board for some ideas.
Step 4: Paint the Shoes
Acrylic paint mixed with a textile medium is the way to go! I’ve always used this medium, but fabric medium works well too. You’ll need a 2:1 paint to textile medium ratio.
Once you have painted your design let the shoes dry. Don’t touch them for at least 1 hour or until they are fully dry. Then, you can apply a second coat of paint, if needed.
Step 5: Seal the shoes
Once the shoes are dry it’s time to seal them. I’ve found mod podge to be the best sealant. Apply a thin layer (with a paintbrush) on any painted areas.
Let them fully dry (2-3 hrs) before applying the second coat of sealant. After the second coat leave the shoes to dry overnight before wearing them. This allows your shoes to dry on both the outside and inside (if any paint seeped through).
The Comments
Lynley
You said that the ratio is 2:1 but which one is 2 parts?
sienaneal
LynleyOops. It would be 2 parts paint and one part textile medium!