Make It: Painted Shoes

dany4bec, member

30 users recommend

Much of my artwork (drawings, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, papercraft, etc.) incorporate skeletal imagery and contrasting/complementary elements. I plan out the design first so that even though I used some different colors and different images, they still work as a pair because of placement.

Boyfriend-girlfriend imagery on the inside face of the shoes. The lock then is on the girl "Ducky" shoe and the key is on the guy "Tank" shoe. Here is where glitter highlights really come in handy and add sparkle!

Personifications of their nicknames "Ducky" and "Tank" on the outside face of the shoe. We just so happened to have a rubber ducky in the house that I used as a model, but I didn't like his eyes so I drew my own. The tank is simple to match the cartoon-style BOOM. I mixed brown shades to make the camo. I also stuck my signature here—ddoR (Danyelle Deborah Ortega-Roberts).

Here I painted simple graffiti-style lettering (not too complicated so it's readable). Practicing on paper is really important since centering was important.

This is a drawing of the second pair of shoes I am currently working on. 

Much of my artwork (drawings, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, papercraft, etc.) incorporate skeletal imagery and contrasting/complementary elements. I plan out the design first so that even though I used some different colors and different images, they still work as a pair because of placement.

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Hi, crafters!  Pictured here is a pair of Vans I designed and painted for a friend of my daughter. Altogether, research, design, and execution took about 30 hours, but this was my first attempt. They turned out great and have generated a lot of interest, so it was worth it! Anyone can spruce up an old pair of shoes with this method and a little creativity; I use my own drawings, but you could always just get your inspiration from things you find online, off greeting cards, or from magazines. Be creative!

This project was commissioned by my daughter's friend. These shoes are a custom, one-of-a-kind type design. Here is my process:

I started by asking her friend to tell me a bit about herself (likes/ dislikes, style). She told me that she loves classic tattoo-style art and Graffiti/Urban-style art. I knew her friends called her "Ducky" and she told me her boyfriend of two years is nicknamed "Tank"; I took that information and my own artistic style (skeletal/complement/contrast, colors) and sketched out the basic elements of the design.

The next step was the most critical step in my process , which is to draw on paper a pair of shoes with my design on them (like the drawing of a work in progress shown in the bottom photo). I did this to get an idea of image placement, since this design was not a mirror image and they needed to complement each other. Once I was happy with the look/fluidity, I took a pen to the shoes. I found that using a light-colored permanent marker directly on the shoe worked for outlining the placement of the images. Once the outlining was done, I just started painting! I used waterproof fabric paint in various colors to start and had to mix some colors myself for the right shades. I used a layering technique to get the clarity and vibrancy that works for me. Glitter fabric paint is also great for adding accents and highlights. The final look is beautiful, wearable, and personalized. Give it a try!

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Wood Agate Laced Bracelet  

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Comments (17)

Burtongilroy writes: Great Job! Enjoyed your work very much, I sure will share this creation. What a blessing DDOR our best to you!
Posted: 11:59 am on October 8th

LonesomeRoadStudio writes: Love them! I have two pairs of Keds-type sneakers waiting for me to take the paint markers to them.
Great job!
Posted: 2:10 pm on September 29th

CindyinTijeras writes: Your art is as beautiful as you! We're sure this is just the start of a lifelong gift of expression. Good luck, Cindy & Robert
Posted: 7:06 pm on September 21st

NancySews writes: Great Job. These are too fun!
Posted: 12:46 pm on September 20th

dreams writes: What a great job. You just might have a business going there. You have so much talented!


Posted: 10:12 pm on September 15th

LindaPermann writes: these look amazing! nice work.
Posted: 2:14 am on September 13th

SoExcited4YouBFF writes: You R Sooooo Flippin' awesome! I am so happy for you!! I have a great feeling about this!!! I am going to market these like crazy in the east bay!!!! NOW SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH AN ITTY BITTY STICK OF WOOD!!! LOL... Love You!
Posted: 11:13 pm on September 12th

dany4bec writes: OMGoodness thanks to all who commented and I cant wait to make more!xoxo Danyelle
Posted: 12:24 pm on September 10th

coraomo writes: You are an awesome and talented individual. Good luck in all your endeavors.
Posted: 11:20 am on September 10th

Meggy writes: These are fabulous! The images are gorgeous.
Posted: 5:10 am on September 10th

RalphnDebbie writes: HI SWEETIE! VERY VERY COOL! LOVE YOU, MOM : )
Posted: 1:30 am on September 10th

Aufildesplaisirs writes: "incroyable" your shoes are very original. If you can sold them, i buy it right a way.
Posted: 9:53 pm on September 9th

jortega525 writes: These are great! I am going to want a couple pairs with different themes... Chess, Duality like yin and yang, I will also want a pair that are EMS style but can you do lace up vans not just like these? Also how much are you gonna charge?
Posted: 5:53 pm on September 9th

creativemonica writes: Amazing work! Beautifully done. Keep up the good work!
Posted: 5:42 pm on September 9th

SJNightOwl writes: OMG - those rock!
Posted: 4:06 pm on September 9th

dany4bec writes: Thanks so much! These were really fun:)
Posted: 4:03 pm on September 9th

mystic_traveler writes: I LOVE THEM! Looks like you are off to an excellent start. Good luck with all you do. You are talented!

Best Ever,
Nora
Posted: 3:23 pm on September 9th

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