My First Custom Sneakers
I collaborated with SNKADX.com to create my first pair of custom painted sneakers! I’ve broken down all the products I used, their costs, my process, and the hurdles I hit along the way. Thanks for checking it out! If you’re into it, give me a follow on socials and sign up for alerts—no spam, no corporate vibes, just one email a month with me doing my thing. Appreciate you!
Products and Cost
*This is just a rough estimate!
1. Angelus AF1 Template – You can snag it for free on their site!
2. Angelus Acetone – Only $5
3. Angelus Brushes 5pc set – $10
4. Angelus Leather Paint – A bit pricier at $50
5. Angelus Finisher – Just $10
6. Sketchbook and Pencil – Totally free (Studio Supplies)
7. Tape (if you want it) – $8
8. Adobe Fresco/Photoshop – $60 if you go for the monthly Adobe plan
9. Air Force Ones – (Collaborator’s treat!) $115
10. Creative Genius – Crippling self-doubt!
TOTAL $258
Hands down, the priciest parts were the paint and the shoes. Honestly, if I could do it all over again, I’d just grab an old pair of sneakers lying around—free, no pressure, and the perfect way to get a feel for painting on sneakers without freaking out about messing up. And if you don’t have Adobe Creative Suite, no worries, Adobe Fresco is free! I only used Adobe so I could mess around with colors, but doing it by hand works just as well. Sure, it might take a little longer, but who’s in a rush anyway? Enjoy the process!
Process
Ideation
The spark for this project came from an awesome collaboration with SNKADX.com. We decided to take a custom t-shirt design and bring it to life on a pair of Air Force 1s—because why not turn some classic kicks into wearable art?
Sketches
It all started with rough thumbnails—small but mighty. I played around with different layouts, trying to squeeze every bit of potential out of the design. Shoutout to the free template from Angelus.com for helping me visualize how these sneakers could look.
Adobe Fresco/Photoshop
Once I nailed down the design, I brought it into Adobe Fresco to block out some bold, solid colors. This is where the vision started to really pop. Then I mocked it up in Photoshop.
Prep
Next up: prep time. I stripped the factory finish off the sneakers with Angelus preparer to get the surface ready for painting.
Trace
I traced the patterns of the shoe with tracing paper to make sure my design would fit just right. It’s like a blueprint, but cooler.
Taping (ugh)
Oh boy, taping… my least favorite part. I knew the paint would probably bleed under the tape, and yep, it did. For anyone who’s not comfortable painting freehand, tape is definitely a good option. But for me, it felt too tedious. I eventually ditched it and went freehand—way more my style! Proceed at your own risk though!
Blocking in Color
This is where the fun really starts! I painted the big areas first—the toe box, heel, and other large sections—using thin coats for that smooth, professional finish. Then, I moved on to the smaller, detailed areas.
Details
The best part: adding those tiny, satisfying details that make everything come together. For super-thin lines, I kept my brush damp for smooth strokes. This step is like the cherry on top of the sneaker sundae.
Finisher
After letting the paint dry for a full day, I sealed the deal with an Angelus finisher to protect the artwork. They’ve got a bunch of finish options, so it’s worth checking out what works for your vibe.
And just like that, a custom pair of sneakers was born! From sketch to final touch, this process was messy, creative, and totally worth it.
Challenges
It’s all new
First things first—trying something new is always intimidating, and painting sneakers was no exception for me. I’d wanted to do it for ages but never quite had the guts to take the plunge. So when the opportunity finally came along, I said, “Alright, I’m all in!” But then the shoes arrived, and suddenly I was hit with a wave of fear and self-doubt. Like… what the hell am I about to do here?
But let me tell you, once I started, all that fear disappeared. The trick? Start with the biggest areas of the shoe and lay down a single layer of paint. That’ll get the ball rolling and help you ease into it. Trust me—once you see that first coat, you’ll get in the zone.
The Shoe Itself
Let’s talk about the shoe for a sec—those patterns, the leather texture, all the little curves and seams. They make it tricky to keep your lines straight and can even mess with your proportions a bit. Don’t let that throw you off! When you trace your design onto the shoe, stay flexible. Adjust things as you go to make sure your art still makes sense with the shape of the sneaker. It’s all about working with the shoe, not against it.
At the end of the day, it’s all about jumping in, figuring it out, and having fun with the process. Those kicks are gonna be one-of-a-kind, and that’s what makes it all worth it.
So, what do you think?
If you liked this project and would like to continue to see my artwork give me a follow on social media. Or better yet sign up for my alerts. Thanks again for stopping by. Be a good human, always be curious, and stay creative.
