If I had a flower for every time someone asked me to paint on their clothes, I’d be typing this article from my garden. But seriously, why are we all obsessed with painting on clothes? But most importantly, how do you properly paint on clothes and actually nail that? In this article, I’m going to share with you some tips I picked up and mistakes that I learned to avoid during my practice of painting on clothes.
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Painting on fabric: What paint should I use to paint on clothes?
Can I use acrylics to paint on clothes?
Acrylics are fine but not ideal…
I know you think that canvas is fabric too (it is fabric, but that fabric is synthetic) and that you can use whatever paint you use on your canvas and it will turn out just fine. Sorry to disappoint you, but not all fabrics are the same. When you are painting on a canvas, you’re creating artwork that will be displayed on a wall. But when you paint on clothes, you have to keep in mind that using paint such as acrylic will make the clothes super stiff (especially if you apply a big amount of paint or create art in so many layers), and the more you move around in the painted clothing piece, the more the paint is going to crack and stretch, which will make it less durable.
If you insist on using acrylics for a reason or two, you can use a fabric medium to improve the grip of your acrylics and make them softer and more flexible to paint on clothes.
Always use fabric paint
Fabric paint is the best option for painting on clothes because it is guaranteed to work on whatever fabric, and it can be built to create more complex artwork. It also will not bleed or crack, as it has a better hold on fabric than paints like acrylic.
Here are some fabric paint recommendations for you:
If you want to paint on denim, this set will work best. ARTEZA Fabric Paint for Clothes.
To paint on t-shirts, I recommend you use the TULIP Soft Paint.
You can also use fabric pens or markers
If you would like better precision for your artwork, I highly recommend you grab a set of fabric pens or markers to create your artwork because they are easier to work with than a brush.
Do I need to use a lot of paint so that my artwork can last longer on clothes?
The absolute opposite. If you use too much paint (even with fabric paint), the top layers will have no fabric to hold onto and will crack and get washed off more easily. Therefore, the rule with painting on clothes is that the less paint you use, the better the outcome and the longer it will last.
Can I paint on whatever clothing item?
As long as you are using fabric paint or mixing fabric medium with your acrylics, you can definitely paint on any fabric and whatever clothing item. However, if you are a beginner, try to experiment and practice on cotton t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, or denim jackets and pants first before you paint on something like a knit sweater, for example. Painting on clothes is harder than you think, and it requires more practice if you would like to paint on absolutely any clothing item of any fabric.
Just because you are a great artist doesn’t mean that your first artwork on clothes will turn out amazing!
As a traditional painter myself, I have a lot of confidence in my painting abilities, and I often assume that whatever medium I use, the outcome will be somewhat decent. Let me tell you, life will humble you at a point, and you will realize that just because you’re a great artist, painting on clothes does require a lot of practice.
Clothes are sometimes very stretchy and hard to paint on. Your fabric paint is going to be dry at times, and your brush will not glide as smoothly as it does on your canvas, so take it easy and do not be offended if your first piece of clothing turns out less than perfect.
Can I mix water with fabric paint to paint on clothes?
So many beginners are often very scared of using water with fabric paint. But let me reassure you that it is fine and much needed in most cases that you use water to make your fabric paint easier to manipulate. Feel free to add as much water as you please, as it is not going to ruin the quality, pigmentation, or hold of your fabric paint. You can add water to dilute the paint and achieve a watercolor effect and consistency in your painted artwork.
Conclusion
These were some of my top tips on how to paint clothes and actually have a wearable and long-lasting piece of clothing. Let me know if you have any questions on this matter and until the next article, enjoy creating <3
