Make Space Shoes
Do you want a unique way to spruce up your old plain shoes? Or have you been looking for a pair of shoes but just can't find a pair that's "you?" If so, then this article will help you make a pair of shoes that are uniquely yours that none of your friends will have! (But all of them will want.)
Contents
Steps
Getting Organized
- Buy a pair of cheap canvas shoes. Make sure the shoes are a solid color. Converse, Vans, and Keds work great for this project, but you can use any shoes you'd like.
- White works well as it's a good canvas for any color, but black offers a natural space template to work off of, too. Colors show up less well on black, but you don't necessarily have to paint the entire shoe evenly to cover the material.
- Go online and find some space pictures. Print them out and use them as templates when you get down to business with your shoes. They'll give you ideas and make your shoes look a little more convincing, apart from just visually pleasing.
- Obtain some acrylic paint. If you don't have some already, you can find them fairly cheaply at craft stores. You'll probably want blue, purple, pink, white, and possibly some metallic colors (if you're staying authentic). However, all the colors of the rainbow exist in the universe, so go crazy with your imagination if that's more down your alley.
- While you're at it, get a paint tray!
The Fun Part
- Gather your materials. It's time to get started! Lay down some newspaper on the floor, grab your shoes, turn on some music and sit down to start creating. You'll need:
- Masking tape
- Your paints
- Sponges (one for each color, ideally)
- Paintbrushes
- Paint tray
- Water
- Line the soles of your shoes with tape. This is to keep any paint from getting on them. You could risk it, but tape will give you a nice, symmetrical (clean!) line when you're finished.
- If you don't have masking tape, electrical, painter's, or medical tape work well too.
- Take out the laces. You know how to do that part, right?
- With sponges, start painting on the base colors. This is where a tutorial can't really guide you -- you'll have to decide where which colors go and how much color to put on. The important thing to do is to start with dark colors, end with light colors, and to blend them together. Experiment with combining colors, too, to produce gradients.
- White can be used to provide a hazy effect, like the Milky Way.
- If you're using black shoes, you may need to use a thin layer of white as a primer to make your colors show up more intensely (especially the lighter colors, like pink).
- Add detail to the shoes. A good way to create details is to paint as normal then blot with a paper towel to create a softer look. Continue adding details around the shoes, using whatever method you think looks best.
- Add the stars. Using a toothpick, toothbrush, or small paintbrush, flick little specks of white paint onto your shoes. To avoid creating a masterpiece all over your floor, hold your device just a few inches away from your shoes. If you mess up, just rub it in! Tada, cloud! But when it comes to the universe, there's very little "messing up."
- It may be necessary to mix the white paint with a bit of water -- acrylic paint can be a little thick and hard to flick.
- Once you are done with your stars, leave the shoes out where no one can mess with them and let them dry for a day or so.
- Dry your shoes for about an hour. Grab a blow dryer and blast the shoes to speed up the drying process. If you don't have one, let them sit for an hour or so before you move on.
- Put your laces back in.
- Sport those bad boys around the town! Keep a notebook handy to count your compliments.
Tips
- Blot paint with a paper towel or sponge for a softer, more natural look.
- Always allow adequate time to dry -- you don't want to possibly mess up something you were otherwise happy with.
- They may be easiest to work with if you stick your hand in your shoe to hold it steady on the floor.
- Remember, there is no such thing as a "wrong" space shoe!
Warnings
- If you are a kid, make sure you have your parents' permission before you paint your shoes!
Things You'll Need
- A pair of canvas shoes (any color)
- Toothpicks/toothbrush
- Paintbrushes
- Paper towels
- Space pictures
- Acrylic paints
- Sponges
- Masking tape
- Paint tray
- Newspapers
- Blow dryer
- Water
