Sneaker Customizing with Angelus Paints: Artist, Isidore’s Signature Gradient Airbrush Style

Before you touch any paint, proper prep is key to ensuring your custom design sticks and stays.

For Leather Sneakers - What you need:

• Start by cleaning the sneaker thoroughly with Angelus Leather Preparer and Deglazer to remove any factory finish, oils, or dirt. This ensures your paint adheres properly and your gradients stay crisp and durable.

For Fabric Sneakers - What you need:

• Angelus Foam-Tex Cleaner Kit – gently removes dirt, grime, and oils from fabric.
• Use Foam-Tex Cleaner and a brush to thoroughly clean the fabric. Wipe off excess moisture with a towel and let the shoes dry completely. Clean surfaces = better paint adhesion.

Pro Tip: Tape off any areas you don’t want painted using painter’s tape or masking film for clean edges.

Angelus Paints are highly pigmented, so you’ll need to thin them down for airbrush use. Mix a 1:1 ratio of Angelus Paint to Angelus 2-Thin, or adjust slightly depending on your airbrush and desired flow. Stir well to avoid clogging.

Recommended Gear: A dual-action airbrush (like an Angelus x Grex XGi5 Airbrush).

Begin with your lightest color first and apply in light, even coats, slowly building up opacity. Overlap slightly with the next color and use quick, controlled passes to softly blend where the colors meet. Work back and forth between colors to smooth the transition.

Pro Tip: Stay patient. Gradients are all about layering — not blasting one color over the next.

Once the gradient is complete and fully dry, seal your work with any Angelus 4-Coat Urethane Clear Coats or Acrylic Finishers to protect the design and give it a professional finish. Apply two to three light coats for best results.

Optional: Use a heat gun on low between layers to speed up dry time without cracking the paint.