This tutorial will show you everything you need to know to create your own (very cool!) hand-painted shoes.
Update: After I first published this post, I received so many emails with requests for more details that we now have all of the instructions and resources available in this ebook: How to Paint Shoes: A beginner’s guide for creating canvas shoes with acrylic paint.
I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in a link on this post for sites including Amazon.com. Other links may go to websites including eBay where I have been paid to write a blog or article. See the entire disclosure here.
A few years ago my teenage daughter started customizing canvas shoes (which is now a business venture) and hasn’t turned back since. These are her tips and recommended supplies for best results.
We also have this ebook which provides more information than we can fit in a blog post. It downloads instantly and is written for beginners. If you’re already experienced with acrylic paints on canvas, you probably just need a few ideas for specific materials to use (see below).
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You can see all my creative home and garden ebooks here.
Supplies
I am linking to products with my Amazon affiliate account. These are products we like.
- Canvas shoes. You can use any colour you like. Black backgrounds make the images stand out nicely when you leave portions unpainted (see image above). [see Canvas shoes]
- Acrylic primer. All purpose wall painting primer works great! You can also use Gesso (artist’s canvas primer). [See Primer]
- Acrylic paints. Golden (brand) is top notch quality – goes on beautifully. You can also use any acrylic paints sold at craft shops such as Decoart, Martha Steward, Folk Art, artist’s acrylics, or acrylic wall paint. [See Acrylic paints]
- Painter’s tape. [See Painter’s tape]
- Markers for outlining: Recommended brands include Faber-Castel Pitt artist pens, Prisma colour fine-tip markers, and Sharpies (make sure you get nice fine tips).
Note: Metallic markers are not recommended because they run when Scotch Guard is applied. - Pencil.
- Synthetic paint brushes (suitable for acrylic paint). [See Paint brushes]
- Paint tray, water cup for rinsing brushes, rag.
- Scotch Guard. [See Scotch Guard] or polyurethane, Mod Podge Outdoor, and any other durable sealant.
Planning Your Design
- If you can paint it on a flat canvas, you can probably paint it on canvas shoes.
- Unless you’re an artistic daredevil, start simple. Pick basic designs you can fill with solid colours and outline with marking pen. From a distance, these simpler designs really look great.
- Go DaVinci on your second pair when you’ve had some practice.
Before You Start
- Try your design on paper first (to be sure you like it), then draw it on the shoes using an HB pencil. Heavy lines will show through the paint, so press lightly.
Steps
- Remove shoe laces.
- Apply painter’s tape to any areas you do not want the paint to cover (such as the edge of the soles).
- Prime the canvas areas you will be painting. Allow to dry completely (usually takes an hour). You want the canvas covered in primer, but not so thickly that you loose the texture. The texture helps the acrylic paints “grab” the surface.
- Draw your design(s) on the shoes using an HB pencil. Go lightly or the pencil will show through the paint.
- Fill in your designs with acrylic paint. Allow to dry completely.
- Use marking pens to outline your designs and add details. Allow to dry.
- Protect with Scotch Guard. Follow the product instructions. Alternately, you could use polyurethane, Mod Podge Outdoor, and some other durable outdoor sealant suitable for painted surfaces.
Made A Mistake?
There’s a few options:
- You can simply paint over the area again, or reapply primer (allow it to dry), and then draw and paint your design again.
Easy Does It
- You want to be really careful when outlining the designs with marking pen. Find a comfortable position to support your hand and work slowly.
Embellishment Ideas
- You can also use the marking pens to add text on top of the paint. Pick quotes, poetry, or graffiti! Anything goes. It’s your art—do what you love.
And remember to live long and prosper.
Bonus points if you can name any of the characters depicted on the shoes. Tell me in the comments!
For more detailed instructions, also see:
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Loved the Zelda work on the shoes. I had some questions regarding sealing the paint. I actually used mostly markers and sharpies on my sneakers and its done already but Im not sure what to use for sealant. I was told a lot of people uses Krylon FInish Spray but now that I read your instructions I feel like maybe Scotch Guard is better. I know my case is a little different since I didnt use acrylic paint but i was wondering if you could give any suggestions. Thank you.
Hi Jay, It really depends on the markers. Some run and some don’t. If you can, tape off a small area and test it with the sealant of your choice. Or, make a sample on a separate item and experiment there. We have recommeneded specific products we have tested but I wouldn’t want to guess for others. Alternately, you might be able to find someone who has used your exact art supplies who can confirm which sealant is best. Good luck!
Ok thank you.
Hey! I’ve recently been planning on painting my own high tops and started painting today, but I forgot the primer! It’s already mostly dried and it’s only a small part of the shoe. Will it be ok if I prime the rest of the shoes but leave that specific area as is?
Hi Rylie, So much depends on the shoe itself and whether it has some sort of finish on the canvas already. If I was in your position, I would carry on as you described. Worst case scenerio, you might have to prime and repaint the unprimed area. Let me know how it goes.
Hey! I paint shoes myself, and I have never thought of using primer. It’s genius. I do two coats of acrylic paint, it works great. But now I’m curious how much of a difference the primer would make. So if you forgot the primer, I wouldn’t worry. Do an extra coat 🙂
Hi Jessi, We like primer in case there are any finishes on the fabric that may affect adhesion. Also, the colours go on brighter and clearer if the base is white. It’s impossible to know what shoes someone is using so best for us to be cautious and advise this. Glad you’re getting good results!
Hi, can I have a question regarding painting sneakers? I bought your ebook how to paint…, vey helpfull, thanks. What I want to ask is, what colours do you use, if you want to paint only very small pictures, like simple flowers (example https://wanelo.co/p/30756100/flowers )
you cannot use primer, as it would be impossible to such small areas. would you use acrylic colours without primer or better use textil markers/colours? Thanks for your advice.
Hi Lucia, We always use primer because otherwise the paints will not wear well. We’ve tried various markers directly on the canvas but they tend to bleed, especially if the shoe gets wet. I don’t have experience with the style of shoe painting you are showing. You could try emailing whoever makes them and see if they will give you advice. Sorry I cannot be more helpful. You might also try tests on old shoes with various materials to see if you can get the results you want before doing a good pair.
thanks, i will try on old shoes 🙂
Are the characters on the shoes from The Legend of Zelda? And Star Trek? LOL. I think customizing your own shoes is a great way to express your creativity and interests (for a fan girl like me, fandoms expressed on shoes is the best thing ever 🙈)
Hello. I have painted my second pair of customs recently. My first pair cracked because I think I used the wrong sealant and paints. For my most recent shoe I used the golden brand acrylics and they work great! I have a question for my second pair about the sealing methods. So what is the difference between polyurethane and ScotchGaurd, and do you recommend applying scotchgaurd and then the polyurethane? Also, does the polyurethane make the shoes more likely to be stiff and crack after applied? Thank you!
Hi Aisha,
The two products are quite different. The polyurethane is thicker. The Scotchguard offers a thin, water-resistant layer.
Some painted shoes are going to crack, others don’t. It seems to depend a lot on the shoe fabric and design and how much it bends during wear. Also, it definitely helps to start with a good primer and allow it to dry thoroughly before adding any paint. We have some that have stayed in top shape for years and others that slowly show signs of wear. Ultimately, I always apply polyurethane because it seems to offer the best chance for protecting the art, but there’s always exceptions.
Thank you very much! Is there a specific brand of polyurethane that you recommend?
I’ve always used Benjamin Moore (exterior grade) because I had it on hand for other household stuff. So, I don’t know if it’s better than others but it works very well. Always apply many thin coats, allowing each one to dry thoroughly before applying the next one. If you try it, let me know how it goes.
Hi, I’m planning on repainting a pair of converse, and i’m wondering if i need the primer/a spray finish. Can I do it without?
Do you have any tips?
Thanks!
Hi Saynoris, We always prime and finish. Found there is more cracking and wear without them.
Love the tips, thank you it will come in handy. And i saw captain kirk, spock and link from legend of zelda
Well done! 🙂
I made two pair of Minecraft inspired shoes for my boys and they came out GREAT! I got a little more guts and decided to try the iron-on transfers, which worked. I was able to print the design, iron on the transfer (slowly, the shoes can’t take the heat I normally use), and painted over just the transfer with Mod Podge (the kind for fabric). I was worried they wouldn’t last long, but I made them last Christmas and they still look great! These are so much fun, thanks for the inspiration!!!
Hi Cheryl, Great to hear you had such good results with the iron-on transfers. That definitely provides a super easy way to add the designs you want. Thanks for letting me know.
Great looking shoes! Just wanted to leave a comment for you regarding the concerns about cracking and washing. I use Liquitex gesso and Liquitex acrylics because they are designed to be fluid. After I paint them (they cover like regular acrylics) then I spray a layer of scotch gard and then a coat of acrylic sealer (just because I’m paranoid). My oldest shoes are four years old and I throw them in the washer and everything. They have never cracked. My first pair were painted with regular acrylics and they would up cracking over time. Just wanted to pass along another method and product that may help if you get anymore worries or maybe if you just wanted to play around with it yourself 🙂
What acrylic sealer did you use? I used the Liquitex gesso, and now having painted my shoes, I am not certain on whether I should used a “Final Varnish” type sealant, since it’s intended for regular canvas paintings. Thank you!
We’ve used Polyurethane (acrylic), Scotch Guard spray, Outdoor Mod Podge, and other brush-on varnishes. Overall we like polyurethane the best for durability but every shoe wears differently depending on how it bends and moves during use. This can cause cracks or lines in the finish. Whatever you use, apply thin coats, allow them dry absolutely thoroughly and then build up layers. If you are worried, start with a test area to be sure it looks good to you and the finish is strong.
After you spray the shoes with a sealant, can you then spray the shoes with a waterproofer?
Hi Shannon, I haven’t tried it so I don’t know. I would try a test on a similar sample item to make sure the two things don’t discolour or negatively affect each other.
I too only have access to folk art acrylic paints. I did a pair of shoes earlier this year, no primer or sealant and it cracked after a few Times wearing them.
I’m wondering if using the polyurethane to seal would help it not crack.
Also.. I did a pair with a textile medium, same type of shoes and the cracking was minimal but still happening.
Hi Maritza, We’ve found that a sealant definitely slows cracking or prevents some but, if the shoe in places where the shoe bends and moves there is always going to be some. Dyes would be different, of course, because they are absorbed by the shoe material so no cracking would occur.
Have you tried using “Folk Art” Multi-surface acrylic paint?
I’ve recently used it on several canvas shoes and so far, the paint is holding up pretty good. Still, I’m afraid they will eventually crack with the normal use… I did not use any sealant or primer.
Hi Klim, Yes, I like that paint. And, depending on how much the shoes bend and move in normal wear, there may be varying amounts of cracking.
I’m working on a pair for my wife and have run into a slight problem. While trying to transfer a team logo on the shoe, I noticed that the graphite is almost impossible to see against the navy blue canvas of the shoe. Other portions of the shoe have been painted white before adding and image, but in this particular spot I would like to leave the blue of the shoe as a background. Any tips on how to get something transferred to a dark portion of canvas? Thanks.
There are transfer papers and pencils available in white. Check a sewing supply shop or art supply store.
Can they be washed after painting it
We have never tried putting them in a washing machine. We just clean them off with a damp rag.
Love your daughter’s work! My 12 yr old has done something similar by just zentangling on the shoes with sharpies. She’s sold several pairs. I’m curious…does your daughter paint first, then sell or sell orders, then paint? We haven’t found a consistently reliable source of shoes so we’re concerned about relying on orders, but at the same time we get stuck with sizes/designs no one wants if she does it in advance.
Hi Tracy,
It’s tricky, isn’t it?
My daughter gets the customer to provide the shoes so they fit perfectly and like the shoe style.
The customers usually know what sort of characters/fan art they want and my daughther uses their basic ideas as a starting point. So far it has worked out fine. 🙂
Can the paint come off when it is washed
Hi Luke, We don’t wash the shoes. We apply polyurethane to protect the paint and just clean them with a damp rag.
Do you apply paint varnish over your final product
Hi Anuj, The instructions suggest using Scotch Guard, polyurethane, or outdoor Mod Podge.
Wow – this is cool. I was thinking there would be a long list of exotic supplies – never thot you could use acrylics!!! I will put this & try to IG it as well 🙂
I love this project and love the idea of trying this out as well as wearing them!!! I’ve read everything above but didn’t fine the “care instructions” listed. Forgive me if I’ve missed that section. If you could direct me to the proper place OR just let me know, I would appreciate it 🙂
Thanks – Debbie
Hi Debbie, Care of the shoes depends on what you choose to finish them with. Ours have polyurethane and we wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
I apologise If I’m asking the wrong person, I’ve been researching the topic and I can’t seem to tell if it’s right or wrong , and I was curious if you had to do anything in particular to be able to draw these characters. I’m very hopeful to sell shoes and I’m just concered of any problems occurring
You need permission to reproduce and sell copyrighted materials.
Hello! These shoes are very cool and I also, like your daughter am a teen artist hoping to sell customised shoes and I was wondering if it is allowed (copyright and such) to paint characters on shoes (such as link, star track, Disney characters, etc) and sell them. I’ve seen many people paint these characters but I guess in the back of my head I’m paranoid I’m breaking some kind of rule,
I was wondering if you could tell me what your daughter charges for her shoes. I have a good friend who has painted a few, but is thinking of branching out into a consignment shop where she can paint for people who place orders based on her samples.
Hi Alice, It depends entirely on the design and, specifically, how much time it will take. She estimates how long it will take and calculates the total based on $25/hour. I hope this helps!
My granddaughter wants to paint a pair of canvas shoes for a 4-H project. Good to know that she should gesso them first. Hope to try this soon with her.
Love this idea! I’m hosting crafts for my friend’s daughter’s 11th birthday party tomorrow. Bought the supplies today. Helped to read all the comments. I’m excited. Going to test out a pair tonight.
Hi!
Amazing shoe designs! Your daughter is really talented!
I was thinking about doing this, and my relatives have encouraged me, but was wondering if perhaps hairspray could be used instead of primer or gesso? I use it to stop the pages in my sketchbook from smudging, but would it work the same for this?
Thanks,
Lauren 🙂
Hi Lauren, I have not tried it so I do not know. I don’t think it would work but you’d have to try it to find out. If you do, let me know!
Hi again,
I tried out the hairspray today, and it seemed to work, but I’m not sure whether the desired ‘grabbiness’ of the paint has been achieved.
Thanks so much for the reply,
Lauren
Link, Spock, Kirk
#winning! 😉
Well the legend of zelda characters are link, zelda, the king of red lions, malon and tingle I believe! Love this and definitely going to have a go at making some of my own!
Thank you so much! I tried to do some shoes before reading this and didn’t use any primer. I was painting white lines on black shoes and it was soaking in and opaque looking. So frustrating. No I know to start with primer. How does she get the curves and lines so smooth? Is it just a good quality brush or does she use paint pens too? When I use a brush, even a fine one, the line comes out too thick. Thanks!
Hi Gayle, The finishing details around the paint colours are done with various marking pens to get those finer lines. One helpful tip I’ve found is to support your drawing hand with your other hand, so it’s resting on something (and won’t wiggle) when doing really fine work. I hope your next project goes well!
Great tutorial Melissa and I’ve read through the comments you are very helpful. I’ve never tried canvas shoes as I only customize leather Nike’s. As for different paint options I reccomend others to try Angelus acrylic , its specifically made for leather and flexs without cracking.
For a finish sealant coat I use Angelus Matte finish which is a brush on..
Thanks for the tut going to give canvas a shot!
What is a scotch guard and where can I get it?
Hi Rachael, You can find it in most department stores or on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1u14fqC
Hi! This looks awesome! I’m wondering about the primer stuff, because I’m in a northern (very, very northern) part of Canada so I can’t order from American amazon, so I was looking for it on Canadian amazon, but since I’m not exactly sure what it is, could you please tell me if this is the right thing? Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.ca/White-Primer-Testors-Acrylic-Plastic/dp/B0035LN64I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417593990&sr=8-4&keywords=Acrylic+primer
Thank you! (Sorry if my grammar is bad)
Hi Shianna,
You can use the same primer used for wall painting, in case that helps. Have you got a paint or department store where you live? They should have some if they sell house paints. And yes, that product you linked to on Amazon should work as well, although it might not give you much coverage (small bottle). Overall it’s much less expensive to use the wall primer if you can get some. Let me know if you need any more help.
Thanks! I’ll see if there is something on amazon. Unfortunately, all we have here is a tiny grocery store. The nearest regular town is about a twelve hour drive, so I think ordering is a little less troublesome.
Love the idea but was wondering if there is a way to transfer an image on the shoe since I can’t draw?
You could print out a drawing and use transfer paper.
I painted a pair of Target knock-off Vans using acrylic paints. I did not use a primer or a sealant because I was worried that the shoes would be too stiff afterwards. Unfortunately, as soon as I tried to wear them the paint started to crack. Does the Scotch Guard that you use prevent cracking in the paint? And is the canvas very stiff after you apply it?
Thanks for your help.
Hi Alice, The Scotchguard just makes them repel water better. I think most types of shoes will show signs of wear when painted. Acrylic paints will always be stiff because they are essentially plastics. One thing you can do is, prime the shoes first, let the primer fully cure, and then break them in a bit before painting them so they’re not so stiff. We’ve also used polyurethane to protect the shoes. Apply several coats, several days apart, sand gently between coats, for a more durable surface. I hope this helps. 🙂
These are stunning! I mean, STUNNING!
Thanks!
What kind of Scotchguard do you use? Does the fabric and upholstery one work?
Hi Monica, We’ve been using the Scotchguard for outdoor fabrics.
Hi 🙂 I have painted my first pair of shoes using your instructions, but after two “wears” the coloured acrylic paint has scratched right of the top of the white primer so now the white is showing through 🙁 do you think I have done something wrong?
Oh no! Did you Scotch guard them or add some other sealer?
Hi there! Great post. Is the primer absolutely necessary? I’m going to be painting on white shoes, but wasn’t sure if it would affect the way the paint stayed on.
Thanks!
Hi Amanda, We’ve found that it really depends on the shoe– some have canvas that’s really absorbant and wastes a lot of paint (requiring a lot of layers), others take the paint very well without primer. Because of this, we prime just to be on the safe side.
Great! Thanks for the reply!
Hi. I also paint shoes. I like your work. But I was wondering what outlining pen you use? I use sharpie pens, and the work good, but dry out pretty fast. Anywho…… Nice work.
Hi Manny, See the markers listed under ‘Markers’ in the supply section. The drier the paint, the better the markers work.
love the link shoes 🙂 my son’s name is Link 🙂
Hi does the acrylic not crack when the shoes are used? I’m confused between using a fabric medium and normal acrylic paint, or using a fabric paint as a base then using leather acrylic paint followed by a matte varnish to lock it in. I was thinking the leather acrylic as it would stretch but I have no idea. Thanks
Hi Nina, We’ve just tried to acrylics listed here and have no problem with them.
This is amazing. Which I plan on trying soon. Question though, do you pat the paint on the shoes or just paint with light strokes? Hope my question wasn’t confusing. lol
Hi Linda, I’m not sure if I know how to reply. It depends on your style and what you are depicting.
Can you substitute the primer or gesso for fabric paint?
If you do, it will be a different effect – you’d have to try it to see if you like it. The primer and gesso stop the fabric from being so absorbant and give a white base.
If it gives it a white base with primer with black shoes stay black. Or will all colors then turn white. Or do you mask of remaining parts you don’t want painted?
Primer is just applied where you want to paint.
Spock, kirk, link, rogue, dr doom. Would you happen to know the best method for painting over the circular converse logo? And the kin king of red lions…
Spock, kirk, link, rogue, dr doom. Would you happen to know the best method for painting over the circular converse logo?
There are spray on primers available in paint stores that adhere to just about any surface. I’d try that.
Dang… that was fast. Thanks
So where do you find cheap blank canvas shoes? Love the tutorial! Thanks!
We find them at thrift stores, dollar stores, and discount shoe stores.
The paint your daughter uses is a heavy paint. I’ve only used cheap acrylics for crafts, and I want to try my hand at a pair of shoes…. Does she add any water to her brush before she paints? Or does she add any water to it at all?
Thanks!
Hi Jesse – no, she doeesn’t add water. She just uses water to rinse the brush when switching colours.
PINNING>
I LOVE this!!! Thanks so much. Hmmm… now what can I do with this? Hmmm.. your friend, Linda
These look so cool! People would pay big bucks for those 🙂
This is a great guide, thank you for posting – I can’t wait to paint my first pair of shoes!
I have a question about the primer. Say you use the white primer you posted a link to and you’re painting a black shoe – does it dry white? And therefore should you prime only the areas of the shoe you’re going to paint?
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Shannon,
You need a few coats, but yes, the white primer appears white on black shoes. My daughter is the shoe painter and she likes to prime entire sections to give the shoes a unified appearance. If, for example, the toes will not be painted, she won’t prime that section on each shoe. I hope this helps!
I know i saw spock and kirk, Link… i dunno who the others are.
Yes, and other assorted video game characters are there as well.
With this question it will be obvious that I’m a beginner, but what is a HB pencil? I love this project and have everything I need to make my first pair, but I’ve never heard of an HB pencil. What a talent your daughter has. Growing up in your home if the talent was not in the DNA she certainly got it by seeing her mother create. Thanks so much for sharing.
An HB pencil is a light shade of pencil. It says on the side what kind it is so just check on the side of the pencil for HB.
What Erica said about the pencil! Thanks Erica. It’s no big deal which pencil type you choose – we just prefer it not to show through the paint. Thanks for you kind words Ms. Mike. 🙂
An HB pencil is the equivalent of a #2 pencil
Ooohh, my brother would kill for the legend of zelda shoes! And I am loving your trekkie shoes! Great tutorial, thank you! Now I have to go out and find some inexpensive canvas shoes! 🙂
Thank you for the info! I saw Tardis shoes and want to make a pair for myself. I know if I wear them to work I would get at least envious stares if not a few orders! Mega Dr. Who fans where I work!
Lots of Doctor Who fans in this house too! Hope you make some. 🙂
Nice!..I know Captain Kirk & Mr Spock..The rest I have no idea..Guess that tells my age huh?? lol
You and me both. Several of them are obscure video game characters (or so I am told).
Nifty! I have dibs on the Spock shoes!!
They’re pretty spiffy! My daughter made them for a fan of the new Star Trek.