About a year ago I set out to design my own pair of shoes because I couldn't find anything remotely close to what I wanted and the things that were just 'ok' were ridiculously expensive. I'm sure you've been there. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of comprehensive guides out there and I ended up winging it. Taking that into account I made a second pair, they turned out even better and took about half the time so I thought I'd share the process with you.
Bear in mind: The first time I did this it took me almost a week to do the whole thing. The second time it took a couple of days. But I'm a perfectionist.
Items Necessary: 1) A pair of white canvas shoes. I got mine for twenty dollars at Payless.
-Keep in mind the amount of time you intend to wear them and buy accordingly. I wore my first pair eight hours a day for six months and by the time winter hit the heel was pulling away from one of the shoes. All my hard work down the drain, I should have bought better quality. But it's up to you.
- Also I know that everybody loves converse but if you're like me and wear pants (as oppose to say shorts) all people can see is the toe and it's covered in that ugly white plastic bit that you can't draw on. If you're going to bother drawing on your shoes, flaunt them to the world!
2) Markers - use whatever kind you want but make sure that they're waterproof. I used Prismacolor because they were on sale.
- be wary of markers with fat tips, they bleed easier but tiny marker tips take longer and use more ink. Your call. I like
the medium sized one (you can see it below, the cap is off and it's orange)
3) Paper, Pencil, Eraser -seriously, you need them if you want this to turn out well
4) Some kind of Waterproof Spray - I'm told it's not 100% necessary but why take the risk?
Bear in mind: The first time I did this it took me almost a week to do the whole thing. The second time it took a couple of days. But I'm a perfectionist.
Items Necessary: 1) A pair of white canvas shoes. I got mine for twenty dollars at Payless.
-Keep in mind the amount of time you intend to wear them and buy accordingly. I wore my first pair eight hours a day for six months and by the time winter hit the heel was pulling away from one of the shoes. All my hard work down the drain, I should have bought better quality. But it's up to you.
- Also I know that everybody loves converse but if you're like me and wear pants (as oppose to say shorts) all people can see is the toe and it's covered in that ugly white plastic bit that you can't draw on. If you're going to bother drawing on your shoes, flaunt them to the world!
2) Markers - use whatever kind you want but make sure that they're waterproof. I used Prismacolor because they were on sale.
- be wary of markers with fat tips, they bleed easier but tiny marker tips take longer and use more ink. Your call. I like
the medium sized one (you can see it below, the cap is off and it's orange)
3) Paper, Pencil, Eraser -seriously, you need them if you want this to turn out well
4) Some kind of Waterproof Spray - I'm told it's not 100% necessary but why take the risk?
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Signing UpStep 1: Planning and Drawing and Cutting
Yes, yes I know, nobody likes to plan. But do it anyway. Decide if your shoes are one big picture or divided into sections. Then either find some source material and start drawing it out on a piece of paper or just start drawing ON THE PAPER. Do not go right to the shoes. Also, when drawing on the paper try and draw it to scale. Now I drew mine but for all of you not artists tracing is perfectly acceptable too as long as you're not making money off it. Just bring an image up on your computer, resize, slap a paper on the screen, and trace away. Draw more then you think you'll need.
Make sure you take the time to get the details right.
Cut them out CAREFULLY
Make sure you take the time to get the details right.
Cut them out CAREFULLY
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Thanks again!
I really want to make some of my own but I can NOT draw at all and I am afraid I will ruin the shoes. Do you have any advice for me? Would paint work as good as the markers?
I've never used paint personally but i've seen ones where it worked out. I have a friend who did a TARDIS pair with paint and they looked great!
However I fail with a paintbrush, but go for it!
I have seen some others with paint but I fail with painbrushes too. I might just stick with markers. Thank you again for your help.
Keep trying!
I doubt if it's just one or two things that anyone's going to come after you. People claim to get away with it because they're getting paid for their time and not the image. Technically my guess would be that it's illegal but in terms of superheroes you do see all sorts of artists selling work of copyrighted characters.
The moral is I really don't know. You'd probably be fine unless you started selling a lot. But I don't know, sorry... If you find out let me know though!
Also, I love how well-documented this process is! Just about anyone can take these instructions and make an awesome pair of shoes. :)
You mentioned the waterproofing spray, did you decide to use it to finish?
Plain white converse, prepare to become colorful!