Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Remove the shoelaces from the sneakers.
Coat the entire canvas area of the sneaker with gesso. Use a gesso brush and evenly apply the gesso on the outside sneaker fabric, including the eyelets. Allow the gesso to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Use sandpaper to smooth out the gesso surface. For a smoother working surface, repeat one or two more layers of gesso. Allow the gesso to dry, then sand after each application.
Trace out designs directly onto your sneakers. Use a soft lead pencil, such as a number 3 lead, and draw the patterns and shapes that you want. Press lightly to leave just a trace outline.
Fill in the shapes with colors that will bring them to life. Use fabric markers that won't fade or run. Draw using light strokes or completely saturate the area with color using heavy strokes. Use fine-tipped markers for detailed work and wide markers for large-fill areas.
Color the metal sneaker eyelets with permanent marker. Use one color or several colors to blend in the surrounding patterns and provide a seamless look to your shoe design.
Spray fixative or Teflon film spray over the painted shoes to protect them from dirt and other environmental assaults.
Add color to shoestrings. Lay them on a flat work surface and run a thick permanent marker over them two to three times to coat completely. Opt to add designs along the shoestring length to match your sneaker design.