Find out how to Paint Leather-based – A Lovely Mess

To know me is to know that I’m obsessive about all issues animal print—however particularly leopard print. I take into account it a key ingredient to my “hip and funky aunt look.” Haha.

So, that was the inspiration behind determining how you can paint leather-based footwear. I painted these plain Birkenstock sandals, as a result of I completely LIVE in Birkenstocks all summer time.

However you would use this method for portray leather-based on a lot of various things; like footwear, purses, wallets, or jackets. Additionally, you would not have to color new leather-based or suede—thrift one thing! Or give one thing you already personal a brand new life.

An alternate title for this put up might be “how you can paint leopard print.” Though I take into account myself a inventive individual, I’m not essentially the most expert at portray or drawing. So, if I can paint leopard print … so are you able to! You possibly can watch this video to see the print come to life:

What sort of paint can I exploit on leather-based footwear?

I used Angelus acrylic leather-based paint. It’s medium thickness, not tremendous watery, however not loopy thick both. I wanted two coats for the lighter shade I used and just one coat for the darker.

It’s bought in smaller portions, so that is greatest for small articles like footwear or different style objects (not leather-based furnishings).

How do you paint leather-based footwear with out cracking them?

Three suggestions. First, use skinny layers of paint. You possibly can add as many layers as wanted, however don’t brush the paint on tremendous thick, caking it on. This could result in cracking or peeling.

Second, actually let the paint dry between coats in addition to earlier than you utilize (put on) the merchandise. You need to let the paint soak into the leather-based as a lot as doable earlier than use.

And three, portray smaller areas (slightly than your entire merchandise) may even assist with cracking.

Provides:

Step One: Follow your leopard print, you possibly can see my crap first attempt on the proper facet. I noticed I wanted extra variance within the two colours.

For leopard, you need two layers. The bottom layer is a lighter brown and also you create odd formed circles or horseshoe shapes. The second layer is a darker brown (and even black) and also you half define the shapes and add a couple of small spots all through.

Even if you’re not portray a design, I’d suggest testing the paint on some scrap leather-based and/or material. The one scrap leather-based I had readily available was black, so I examined the paint on that, however then practiced my design on material so I might see it.

Step Two: Prep the leather-based. If you’re utilizing one thing thrifted or used, you could want to softly clear the merchandise first, as you don’t need any mud or filth on the merchandise earlier than portray. Not all leather-based feels the identical, and a few is coated.

In case your merchandise appears shiny, evenly (very evenly) sand it with advantageous sandpaper. You need the paint to have the ability to soak into the leather-based, not slide off the floor. My Birkenstocks didn’t want any prep as they had been new and the leather-based already delicate.

Step Three: Paint the bottom layer. I discovered I wanted two coats of paint, so I waited till the primary coat was utterly dry earlier than including the second.

Step 4: Add the define layer together with small dots for the leopard print. You don’t need the outlines to look excellent—all the pieces about this could look a little bit askew (as it could in nature). You additionally need to take care to not have any brush marks displaying, as that sort of ruins the look too.

I saved my follow piece close by whereas I painted so I might consult with the look I used to be going for.

Step 5: Permit the paint to dry utterly earlier than utilizing. I feel it’s greatest to let this dry in a single day earlier than sporting them.

And that’s how you can paint leather-based footwear! I really like how these turned out, and I can’t wait to put on all of them summer time lengthy and get my annual Birkenstock foot tan. Thanks for letting me share! xo. Emma

Find out how to Paint Leather-based

how you can paint leather-based footwear with acrylic leather-based paint

Whole Time 12 hours 15 minutes

• 1
  pair
  Birkenstock sandals
  or leather-based merchandise
• Angelus acrylic leather-based paint
  in flat black, beige, and bowler brown
• paint brushes
• scrap leather-based or material

1. Follow your leopard print, you possibly can see my crap first attempt on the proper facet. I noticed I wanted extra variance within the two colours.

2. Even if you’re not portray a design, I’d suggest testing the paint on some scrap leather-based and/or material.

3. Prep the leather-based. If you’re utilizing one thing thrifted or used, you could want to softly clear the merchandise first, as you don’t need any mud or filth on the merchandise earlier than portray. Not all leather-based feels the identical, and a few is coated.

   In case your merchandise appears shiny, evenly (very evenly) sand it with advantageous sandpaper. You need the paint to have the ability to soak into the leather-based, not slide off the floor.

4. Paint the bottom layer. I discovered I wanted two coats of paint, so I waited till the primary coat was utterly dry earlier than including the second.

5. Add the define layer together with small dots for the leopard print.

6. Permit the paint to dry utterly earlier than use. I feel it’s greatest to let this dry in a single day earlier than sporting them.