How to Paint Shoes

1
Use leather or spray paint for leather or vinyl shoes. There are acrylic paints designed to adhere to leather products, including shoes. You can buy them at your local craft store. These paints go on with a brush for a smooth and lasting finish. Your other option is to use spray paint purchased from a hardware store. Choose a spray can with the smallest nozzle possible to minimize over-spraying.^[1]

While spray painting your shoes is easy, it won’t allow you to get very detailed. Spraying works best when you are painting your entire shoes a single color. Remember to remove the shoe strings before you paint.

2
Use fabric paint for cloth shoes. This is a type of acrylic paint made specifically for fabric painting. It is applied with a brush and is quite durable. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, even with glitter options. Another plus is that it usually doesn’t crack after drying.^[2]

You can also use fabric paint for leather or vinyl shoes. However, you have to extensively sand the surface of the shoe down almost to its fabric base or the paint will not adhere.

3
Use paint markers for detailed designs. You can buy paint markers at most art supply or craft stores. They come with a variety of tip sizes from super thick to ultra skinny. It’s usually a good idea to get a number of markers in the same colors, so that you can experiment. You’ll also want to test out the paint itself, as some are thicker in consistency.^[3]
4
Create a design. If you plan to paint your shoes a single shade, then it’s as simple as choosing the color. If you are going to do a more elaborate pen drawing or painting, then go ahead and sketch out your ideas on paper in advance. You can also create a 3-D design with a computer program, such as Photoshop.^[4]
5
A fun way to make a tie-dye looking canvas shoe is to use permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. Draw on your design with the markers and use a cotton swab to dab at the colors. It will give them a softer look.

Make sure to consider how your design will look from all angles, including the back and from an above view.
If you are just starting out, try to avoid any designs that involve layering multiple colors or really intricate images. Instead, go with designs that feature large blocks of color, geometric images, or simple swirl patterns.