So you want to paint a pair of shoes and turn them into something truly one-of-a-kind? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a curious beginner or someone who’s already dabbled in sneaker art, this guide walks you through exactly how to paint shoes the right way , from choosing materials to applying a professional-looking finish.
And if, by the end, you think “okay, I’d love this done by someone who does this for a living” -well, that’s what we’re here for at Mad Alice Custom Kicks. We’ve been hand-painting sneakers for over 20 years, and we’d love to bring your vision to life. But first, let’s talk craft.
Why Painted Shoes Are Having a Major Moment
Custom hand-painted sneakers have exploded in popularity in Australia and around the world and it’s not hard to see why. Mass-produced footwear is everywhere; a hand-painted shoe is yours. It tells your story, your aesthetic, your personality. Whether it’s a pair of Nike Air Force 1s painted with floral botanicals for a wedding, kids’ Converse splashed with their favourite characters, or a sleek corporate-branded pair for a company event painted shoes turn heads and spark conversations.
The sneaker customisation scene in Australia has grown massively over the last decade, with collectors, sports teams, brides, and businesses all discovering the power of wearable art. And the good news? With the right approach, you can create something stunning at home too.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you pick up a brush, gathering the right materials is everything. Using the wrong paints or skipping prep steps is the number one reason DIY shoe art cracks, peels, or fades fast. Here’s your essential kit.
Paints
The go-to in the professional custom sneaker world is Angelus leather paint. It’s flexible, durable, and bonds brilliantly to leather and synthetic uppers. Avoid acrylic craft paints from the hardware store!, they crack and peel once the shoe flexes. For specific effects: Standard Angelus colours for solid coverage; Angelus metallics for chrome or gold details; Angelus Neon for UV-reactive designs; Angelus 2-Soft Additive mixed in when painting fabric or mesh portions.
At Mad Alice, we use professional-grade Angelus paints on every single pair – it’s part of why we’re confident enough to back our work with a 12-month warranty.
Brushes
You’ll need a range: fine-tipped detail brushes (sizes 000–2) for intricate lines and lettering, flat brushes (sizes 4–8) for broad colour fills, and fan brushes for blending and fades.
Prep Materials
Acetone or Angelus Leather Preparer and Deglazer (removes the factory finish so paint can bond), cotton balls or lint-free cloths, blue painter’s tape for masking soles and hardware, newspaper to stuff the shoe and protect areas you’re not painting, and a shoe tree to keep shape during drying.
Finishing
Angelus Acrylic Finisher seals the paint and controls the final look (matte, satin, or gloss). Never skip this step.
Step-by-Step: How to Paint Shoes
Step 1: Choose the Right Shoe
Leather and faux leather uppers Nike Air Force 1, Adidas Stan Smith, Converse Chuck Taylor leather edition work best. Paint bonds cleanly and holds up to wear. Canvas shoes (classic Converse, Vans) work well with the Angelus 2-Soft Additive. Mesh or knit uppers are harder to work with and often need airbrushing rather than hand-painting.
Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Surface
This is the most important step that beginners rush or skip entirely , don’t. Remove laces and insert a shoe tree. Wipe down the entire upper with acetone or Angelus Deglazer using a cotton ball in circular motions until no more factory coating comes off. Let dry completely — at least 15–20 minutes. Tape off sole edges, metal eyelets, and areas you won’t paint.
Why does this matter so much? The factory coating on leather shoes is essentially a sealer designed to repel moisture , including paint. If you paint straight over it, you’ll get peeling within days, no matter how good your paint is.
Step 3: Plan Your Design
Before any paint touches leather, know exactly what you’re creating. Sketch it out even a rough pencil layout helps you understand proportions and colour transitions. Keep your palette to 3–5 colours. Be honest about your detail work at this stage. Pay special attention to flex points (toe box, side near the ball of your foot) keep designs simpler in these zones or use 2-Soft Additive.
Step 4: Apply a Base Coat
Apply thin coats – not thick, gloopy layers. Multiple thin coats always beat one thick coat. Apply in smooth, even strokes and allow each coat to dry fully (10–15 minutes minimum). Two to three base coats are typically needed for solid, even coverage.
Step 5: Build Your Design Layer by Layer
Work from background to foreground & large shapes first, fine details last. For gradients, work while the base coat is slightly tacky and use a fan brush in gentle sweeping motions. For fine line work, load your detail brush lightly and pull lines in one clean stroke. For text or lettering, pencil it in very lightly first. Let each colour section dry before moving on.
Step 6: Seal With Finisher
Once your design is fully dry , ideally left overnight & apply two or three thin coats of Angelus Acrylic Finisher with a soft flat brush, letting each coat dry between applications. The finisher protects your design from scuffs, binds the paint layers, and gives you control over the final sheen. Do NOT use a spray sealant on leather shoes – it can cause cracking. Brush-on finisher only.
Step 7: Re-lace and Admire
Remove the tape, put the laces back in, and step back. You made wearable art. ✨
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Skipping the deglazer. If the factory coating isn’t removed, nothing else matters. Using the wrong paint. Acrylic craft paint peels. Angelus is the industry standard. Thick paint coats. They crack. Always thin, always patient. Painting over dirty or oily shoes. Any residue compromises adhesion. Skipping the finisher. Without sealing, your design will wear off within days of real use.
When to Go Custom with the Pros
All of this is achievable, but it takes time, practice, and the right materials. If you’ve got a vision that needs photo-realistic portraits, consistent results across multiple pairs (wedding parties, sports teams, corporate orders), specialised techniques like airbrushing, crystal embellishments, cut-and-sew, or mixed media, a fast turnaround (we offer 48-hour turnaround for in-store orders at our Rutherford shop), or the confidence of a warranty, it might be time to bring in the professionals.
At Mad Alice Custom Kicks, we’re Australia’s award-winning custom sneaker studio – recognised by APAC Insider for Best Custom Shoe Company in 2024. We work on Nike, Adidas, Converse, Vans, Jordan, Asics, Doc Martens, and more. We’ve created custom kicks for brides, kids, sports teams, and major corporations including Google, Adobe, and Commonwealth Bank.
We also run our Custom Sneaker Lab events at our Hunter Valley shop -where you can come in and paint your own pair with guidance from our artists. It’s a brilliant day out for groups, families, and first-timers.
Sneaker Painting FAQs
What paint is best for painting shoes?
Angelus leather paint is the industry standard for leather and faux leather sneakers. It’s flexible, durable, and available in a huge range of colours. For canvas shoes, use Angelus with the 2-Soft Additive.
How long does painted shoe art last?
Properly prepared and sealed custom paint can last years with normal wear. At Mad Alice, we’re confident enough to offer a 12-month warranty on all our custom work.
Can you paint Nike Air Force 1s?
Yes — the AF1 is one of the most popular shoes for custom painting. The white leather upper is a perfect canvas. Prep is still essential; skip the deglazer at your peril.
Can you wash painted shoes?
Hand-washing with mild soap is fine for most custom-painted leather shoes. Avoid machine washing ,the agitation and heat will stress your paint layers and finisher. More sneaker care tips on the Mad Alice blog.
Do you need special brushes?
Not expensive ones : just a range of sizes in good synthetic-bristle brushes. Replace them often; dried paint ruins brush tips fast.
Ready to Take Your Sneakers to the Next Level?
Whether you’re inspired to try it yourself or you want a pair created by artists with 20+ years of experience, we’d love to be part of your sneaker story.
Browse our custom work and place your order at madalice.com.au – or visit us in-store at Shop 2/38 Shipley Drive, Rutherford NSW. Walk-ins welcome, open 9am–5:30pm. For Australian orders over $150, shipping is always free.
We also ship worldwide.
Have a design in mind? Get in touch with the Mad Alice team — we’d love to hear it.