Celebrity Shoe Artist

Designer: Tommy Hilfiger

"Waterlilies"

Painter: Liz Ebanks

Custom Painted Shoes and Art Workshops

Permanent Markers and Glitter

Inspiration: Monet meets Ed Hardy

CUSTOMIZE YOUR SNEAKERS

Written by: Liz Ebanks

National Art Teacher Award Recipient

6-12 yrs. old with a parent; Teens and Adults welcome 

Materials Provided: Latex Gloves and Permanent Fabric Markers supplied.

Materials Required:  Please, bring your light colored 100% Cotton Canvas Shoes  

Max # of spots: 20

Walk-ins if space available

     Thank you, for joining my design team.  We will be making your canvas sneakers rock by customizing them with permanent markers, applying patterns, and freehand detailing in this design class.  You can save money and feel like a professional athlete by learning how to custom paint your shoes.  Just choose which pair of canvas shoes to buy. Bring your footwear to be customized to class. If you are frugal give your gently used canvas sneakers a fresh start with a new custom design.  Your fabulous hand painted design won't peel off like cheap store bought decals.  Design your own shoes with your favorite colors, theme, fabric.   Let your imagination free flow like graffiti across this unusual canvas to make a fashion statement with your decorative design.  Unlike stilettos you have more surface area for a larger design on Converse, Vans, or Keds. We will be updating your smaller fashion sneakers not your bulky larger athletic shoes.  Learn how to make your designer sneaker dream come together with your wallet in this fashion workshop. 

As a National Art Teacher Award Recipient and Fashion Designer, I always welcome commissions to customize sneakers, stillettos, and t-shirts. Have you got your ticket to my next fashion design workshop? I am offering an exclusive workshop discount for my blog followers.  My ART WORKSHOPS are perfect for private schools, camps, birthdays, proms, art centers, and the holidays. Register: liz@rescueteam.com Email: liz@rescueteam.com

If you like this post you may enjoy my next blog post on CHEAP STILETTOS FOR PROM see the link below:

http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2011/10/treasure-hunt-for-shoes-to-hand-paint.html

SHOPPING TIP #1:  Popular canvas sneakers are inexpensive at most Target, Wal-mart, and K-mart stores.  Twitter and Facebook will be bursting with unbeatable deals for the holidays.  If you made a big ticket purchase at a department store save your receipt.  Stores will be scrambling to adjust the price up to two weeks after your original purchase.

SHOPPING TIP #2:  Score big savings with your smart phone by using the app www.shopkick.com   Simply by walking around your favorite stores you earn rewards.

CLEANING TIP:  Easily brighten and whiten those canvas sneakers in your closet by soaking them in hot water with dishwasher detergent and laundry soap as a prep. (Only remove the shoes from soaking when the water has cooled.) Don't forget to remove and clean the shoe laces. Scrub, rinse, and dry completely before you start coloring with the design team. 

PRIMER:  If your not satisfied with these laundry suggestions or your initial sneaker design you can whiten your sneakers by priming them with white acid free acyrlic gesso.

CAUTION: The gesso will make your shoes stiffer to walk in.

PAINTING PREP:  Here's the scoop.  Create a winning design easily by using masking tape to keep paint from dripping paint on to the soles and edges of your platform sneakers. You can save money by skimping on painters tape with this project. Now create precise, clean lines when you use the markers. 

Gain confidence by practicing on a small swatch of 100% cotton canvas before revamping your shoe.  We will be exploring how applying cotton swabs and an inexpensive non-toxic household solvent can give you a series of unique effects.  Spray, splat, and brush to create your signature style in sneaker culture.  Each hand specialized technique creates custom kicks.  When you combine these effects you can create a designer look.  As the shoe designer you can take your shoes to your home if your design requires more time.       

Perhaps, you want to create a vignette where the toe of your sneaker is crisp and clear but, gently fades out on the side panels of your shoe.  Make your sneakers more versatile for your wardrobe by selecting colors that pop and will compliment several outfits. Join the competition by creating an original graphic design that is your own creation.  You can do-it-yourself by dabbling the color to fade out. This can be achieved by lightly touching the design with wet Q-tips.  The little bit of solvent softens the designs edges from bright crisp color to soft pastels that gradually fades out into a loose painterly effect.  In comparison, to hand painting your cotton t-shirt the weave of a canvas does not allow the colors to bleed as much on a shoe.  Your custom made shoe is a unique original art masterpiece that allows you to showcase your tight painting skills.

Dramatic dark colors offset with
bright hues will give gently used sneakers
a makeover.

TIP: Make your design cover any imperfections with dramatic dark colors and patterns. Contrast these rich darks with irresistable bright colors to draw the viewers focus to a stronger part of the canvas.  Amazingly an intense color palette has the best tinting strength.  Energetic sharp contrasting colors off set with deep darks will ultimately complete your sneaker transformation. Enjoy these great picks.

Kick it up a notch, bring your own glitter if you wish to make your shoes sparkle. Teens and tweens have a little more fun by adding bling to match the latest trends at your next party. Bring on the glitz with  sequence, crystals, and glitter as accessories. Listen up these extra details can be easily added with archival fabric glue. Design students are encouraged to only apply these details after your canvas sneakers are completely dry. Why not make your shoes sparkle by highlighting the design with a small amount of glitter or rhinestones. You don't even have to make the canvas sneakers perfectly match with this fun new hand painted technique as a famous sneaker designer. You can make the design weather resistant with archival sealants to protect the shoe from weather and damage. Take care to use acid free fabric glue to secure your bling. Moreover, never wash your customized sneakers with other laundry items or bleach.

 If you enjoyed this post check out this link on my DESIGN YOUR CUSTOM T-SHIRT WORKSHOP:

http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2011/10/custom-design-t-shirt-do-it-yourself.html

As a Personal Stylist update your sneaker look by removing the laces.

TIP:  As a Personal Stylist don't leave your fashion sneakers stark white with the laces sloppily flying out. Save that authentic look for after the Gasparilla Distance Classic. News flash if your socks are bagging around your ankles streamline your look.  First remove those floppy laces for a sleek and slimmer look that shows off your personal style with fashion sneakers. Be comfortable as a trend setter this fall by wearing your new fashion sneakers with a cute athletic dress or skort. 

TIP:  Add spring to your step, with fresh new inner soles to cushion and deodorize your sneakers.  Your design buddies will be grateful in the gallery.
TIP:  Consider placing a plastic water bottle inside the sneaker to give the shoe more stability when you add your graphic design.
TIP: Create a Sneaker Template by photocopying the design off your shoe box to test out each of your preliminary designs to cut supply costs.  This shoe template will help you make the most out of your studio time and cut supply costs. See my post entitled, STILETOS FOR PROM ON A BUDGET for template details:  http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2011/10/treasure-hunt-for-shoes-to-hand-paint.html

TIP:  Announce your personal brand as a shoe designer by placing your artist signature in your shoes for your gallery fans on a label.