Introduction: DIY Art Jeans: Give Old Jeans New Life!

About: Musician.Writer.Artist.Traveler.Violinist.Dreamer. Professional procrastinator and a lover of all things impossible.

This is my first instructable, so cut me some slack on any mistakes. I'm going to show you how to deck out faded jeans into cool art jeans that display your personality! Hope you enjoy!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

First you need to gather your materials. You'll need: 1 pair of old jeans (any kind will do. Skinny, stretch, white, etc.), Sharpies and/or fabric markers, an idea/plan for your design, a source of inspiration (aka laptop), free-hand drawing skills, and time. I also like to work to music, so you can put headphones in or blast it from a speaker. You can base your jeans off of anything, but for this instructable I did a music-themed pair with the logos of some of my favorite band down one leg, and music notes down the other. Some other ideas include: favorite quotes/sayings, TV or movie themed, favorite band logos, favorite video game logos, miscellaneous, and paint splattered. You will also need a clear and flat place to work. I like to work lying on my stomach on the floor, but a table would work just as well. Tip: If you don't have free-hand drawing abilities, you can cut out paper stencils of your designs or print stencils from the internet. There are loads out there, so just google "paper stencils" or "paper stencil templates" and you're sure to find something. I also recommend that you watch a video on how to cut out the paper stencils. 

Step 2: Flatten Your Jeans

Lay your jeans flat on your work surface.

Step 3: Pick Your Colors

Pick a color palette. For my band logo designs, I chose to use red and black.

Step 4: Sketch It Out

Take a pencil and sketch out your designs onto the jeans in the spots where you want them to be.

Step 5: Start Drawing!

Now you can start! Begin tracing over your pencil marks with the sharpies or fabric pens of your choice. It helps a lot if you use your free hand to stretch the fabric of the area that you're designing on. It helps create smoother lines and don't worry, it won't stretch your image or affect the size of it at all. I like to use Sharpie fine- tip markers for the base of my drawings, Sharpie chisel-tip markers for coloring in large areas, and Sharpie ultra-fine tip markers for detail work and fine lines. If you're coloring in or shading a large area, make sure that you are coloring along the weave of the fabric. Most standard jeans' weaves are diagonal and not straight up and down. If you color along the weave it makes it quicker, easier, and cleaner.

Step 6: You're Done!

You're done! After you've finished you can strut your stuff in your fancy new jeans and know that no one else will have a pair like them! Please note that after a few trips through the wash, the designs will start to fade, so you'll have to touch them up a bit. And also keep in mind that as fun as Sharpies are, they ARE permanent markers and release harmful fumes. If you start to feel light headed or queasy while working, take a break immediately and wait until the sickness passes before starting back again. Even if you feel fine, I still recommend taking a break every now and then, just to be safe. Also, I recommend washing these jeans by themselves the first time or two just in case any of the ink bleeds. It shouldn't, but you never know. I learned this the hard way by washing a white t-shirt I drew on with a load of whites, which are now a load of blues and greens. :( Just be careful. Thanks for reading this and enjoy your revamped jeans! :)