Have you tried using fabric paints? I want to do something similar for a friends birthday present and I was wondering what would be best to use paint wise
i have tried fabric paint...it's what i uses forever in the begining, but the problem with fabric paint is it has a bit of a rubbery element which makes it a little thin. I found through TONS of research and practice that it's WAY WAY easier and less time consuming to use basic acylics. I just back all of my artwork with white paint in the areas I'm going to draw on (sometimes i seal the shoes with an acrylic sealer before i paint too) Then i paint in the colors and lines, seal a couple of times with acrylic sealer and you are good to go! I have a bunch of my own personal pairs laying around that are still good as new after years of wear, but the fabric paint pairs i own all have chipped off and faded. Hope that helps!