Step-by-Step: How Becca Dwyer Paints Fabric Shoes That Last

I'm based in San Diego, California.

A few years ago I painted shoes for a charity auction and had no clue what I was doing material-wise! I shared my process on social media, received a ton of custom orders, and realized I needed to level up my game. That’s when I did a quick online search and found Angelus’s tutorials, learned how to properly paint on shoes, and never looked back! I recommend Angelus to anyone and everyone who will listen.

I love using Angelus products to customize shoes for clients as well as friends and family. Combined with 2-soft, the paint is great for adding details to canvas tote bags. Most recently, I used some of the paints on a skateboard; it was so smooth!

2-Soft has been a game-changer for canvas shoes or soft materials. The Angelus Paint Brush Sets are both high quality and I love using the detail brushes for line work. I have to mention the Leather Preparer and Deglazer because without proper preparation your artwork might not adhere properly so it’s very important. Lastly, I love mixing Pearlescent paints into my custom designs for a fun pop of shine!

Embrace every project as a learning experience! I have yet to work on a project where I didn’t mess up at some point. We don’t typically see that part of the process on social media, but I promise everyone around you is making mistakes behind the scenes. Keep saying yes to things, learn as you go, and reach out to your creative community for help or advice when you need it! Many artists share their process and learning experiences for free, so that is a great place to look for inspiration and guidance.