Tetris Inspired Shoes

Why not show your love for retro games by wearing them on your feet. Creating shoes like this takes time but will look awesome once you are done!

This is my second Instructable ever, so I am hoping it is an improvement :)

First thing that you will need to find is a pair of paintable shoes that aren't a small fortune. Paint adheres well to canvas shoes and cost usually under $25. The colour of the shoes don't matter as long as they are a solid colour (with no texture patterns).

Other materials you will need include:
-a primer/sealer - I have used Modge Podge for these as it serves dual purpose. I would recommend using the matte finish vs the gloss. The paint adheres much better on the matte finish
-some paint brushes
-acrylic craft paint - One that is flexible when dry. I would recommend either Folk Art paints or Martha Stewart matte finish paints as they don't tend to crack after wear. You will need between 3-5 different colours.
-sharpies - one will need to be a fine tip black for adding details. You may also want some other colours as well for outlining the design (you will see what I mean in later steps).
-pencil
-paper
-markers/pencil crayons (for your planning)
-optional - masking tape. Just to cover parts you don't want paint to get on. Painters tape does not work as it doesn't stick to the rubber sole. I have a steady hand so I typically don't use tape.

To prepare the surface for painting remove the laces (if you have them) and tape down parts you don't want paint on (if you want to). I tuck the laces in the shoes so I don't lose them.

Using a paint brush, brush away any dirt, dust and debris from your shoes. If the surface is not clean, you risk your design cracking during wear.

Start priming your shoes. I am using Modge Podge, and you will want at least two thin coats (dry between coats). The primer allows the paint to adhere onto the shoes better while maintaining the texture of the canvas. Make sure you cover the tongue of the shoes too.

Modge Podge is fairly flexible when applied in thin coats.

What ever primer you use, make sure it dries clear.

While you are waiting for the primer to dry, you can start the pattern for the shoe.

If you have ever played Tetris (as in the coloured version and not the original Gameboy version), the shapes are made out of coloured squares. Include some of those shapes in your design.

Once the primer has dried, transfer your pattern to your shoes. You should be able to do this with a pencil and draw on the pattern. If you are having trouble seeing the pencil lines, you can use a white or light coloured pencil crayon.

You can also "improv" some parts of the design as you see fit.

Using one colour at a time, paint the squares. Leave a little bit of a gap between the squares so that the blocks can be seen. Depending on what kind of paint you are using, you may need two coats. Make sure the paint is dry between coats.

Once the paint has dried, draw a small square inside each coloured square with a fine line sharpie. At each corner of the small square, connect the corners. This is to make the blocks look three dimensional. Outline each block with the sharpie as well. This is to cover any pencil marks that remain visible. If you would like, you can use a thicker sharpie on the outer blocks.

If you would like, you can also outline the outer edges with a different colour, or the same colour but thicker.

Seal the painting with a few coats of Modge Podge as a sealer. You don't need to seal the entire shoe, just the painted parts.

Once everything has dried, put in the lace and take off the tape (of used). Your shoes are good to go.