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If the leather is dry, apply a conditioning leather oil to it, at least a couple of weeks before you want to paint it.
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If the leather is glossy, use isopropyl alcohol to remove this and make the surface better able to absorb the paint. Whether you use old or new leather, you’ll want to clean and prepare it thoroughly first. 3 Expert Tips for Painting Leather How to Prepare the Leather for Painting He includes step-by-step guidance on drawing on leather, painting with acrylics, art supplies you need, and his own artistic process that you can follow. Instructor “iPaintCreatures” walks you through the steps of hand painting a pair of boots with your own leather art designs and pictures from your imagination. Instructor iPaintCreatures creates leather art through his unique designs in his course Painting on Leather With Acrylic – Painting from the Imagination. 2 Leather Painting Projects to Try How to Paint Leather Shoes Check the leather paint manufacturer’s instructions. Regular paint brushes can be used for some paints, while other varieties suggest you use a sponge or foam brush. Angelus paint is especially popular among leather painters. Leather paints are formulated specifically for leather, and last better.
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Most leather paints are acrylic based, but for the best effect, don’t just use your “regular” acrylic paints that you use on paper, canvas, or wood. You’ll also need to apply isopropyl alcohol if your leather is shiny with silicone or other finishings, to make it more suitable for painting. If your leather surface is dry and hard, you’ll need to condition it first. Otherwise, your handiwork just won’t last.
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Basically, if you’re painting leather that will be highly functional, you’ll need to invest some time and money in prepping and finishing your leather before and after the actual painting. Painting a whole leather couch or a pair of outdoor shoes requires a slightly different set of supplies from a small pair of earrings or an evening purse that will only be used occasionally. The leather painting supplies you’ll need will vary depending on the type of item you’re painting and the condition of your leather.
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