A denim jacket for a good friend is always fun! This is her second jacket painted by me.....her first jacket was one of my original painted cheerleader denim jackets.
Her daughter is now attending Baylor University and she and her husband love to visit her on campus and attend the football games.
I was beyond thrilled when she asked me to custom paint another jacket for her. This is my first collegiate painted denim jacket to create! Let me show you!
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Supplies Used
Chalk Mineral Paints (4 oz sizes would be perfect for this type of project)
Your colors choices will be unique to your custom collegiate denim jacket project but these are the chalk mineral paint colors that I used for this project...
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Baylor Bears Custom Collegiate Painted Denim Jacket
Shana (my friend) provided me with her ideas that she'd sketched onto the cutest little denim jacket drawing. She may be painting her own jackets soon!
I followed her lead and got busy!
First Sketch Drawing...In Chalk
I always sketch out my designs in chalk first.
Once I have the image like I want it.....I trace over my chalk drawing with a sharpie marker.
It is now set and ready for me to fill in my image with paint.
Ready for Paint!
For this jacket (and all of my wearable art pieces) I am using Dixie Belle chalk mineral paints.
It works really well with water....allowing the paint to soak into the fibers of the denim... almost like a dye process.
I REALLY love this jacket at this point right here! With the bears face left in denim and surrounded by the black and white sunburst pattern.....a fave of mine!
I use a variety of brushes with denim. I especially love a 1/4" angled brush and a #8 scrubber brush!
How to Paint a Custom Denim Jacket
For a full step-by-step on the basics of painting denim you can check out several other of my denim jacket blogs listed below...
Patriotic Denim Jacket - step-by-step guide to creating wearable art
Guardian Angel Jacket - a special jacket with a special story
Custom StoryTelling Jacket - a beautiful story told through art
Volleyball Sports Jacket - another jacket to support your favorite athlete
Painted Denim Jackets - the designs are endless
Or maybe you want to consider my denim painting course!
Lettering the Collegiate Painted Denim Jacket...by hand
For the lettering portions on this jacket...and there were a lot...I chose to NOT use stencils this time and just freehand the process.
I have done this before and I really love this process.
Using a ruler, I trace a line that will be the top and the bottom of the word to help keep my letters the same size. I then draw out my letters in chalk.
Using a 1/4" flat wash brush I begin to lay down my paint.
I start with a thin coat for the first pass. Then loop back around for a quick second coat to deepen the color.
If outlining the letters, I use a small liner brush to do so.
I really like this freestyle look. Especially the non-outlined letters like the "sic 'em". It's just a cool look to me! I find it very raw and artsy....not intended to be perfect!
Once all lettering and images are completely dry, you can spray your jacket with fine mist water and any chalk lines that are still showing will disappear.
PRO TIP: To set this paint, I chose the heat set process this time. Simply cover the design with a tea towel and iron over it on high heat setting (with no steam) to set the paint.
The Finished Look: Custom Baylor Painted Denim Jacket
Isn't it adorable?
I absolutely loved doing this denim jacket!
I really enjoy being part of making mom's trips to campus to support their kids on game day the most fun possible!
If you'd like to order a custom painted jacket you can follow the link below. Due to trademark issues with college logos I am unable to sell collegiate designs. However we can create something unique in your school colors that will be just as fun!
More Inspiration: Painted Denim (...and Canvas)
I have been painting on denim for years! ALL the denim...and canvas...that I can get my hands on. Here are more of my unique styles for your inspiration:
Custom StoryTelling Jacket - a beautiful story told through art
Guardian Angel Jacket - another special jacket with a special story
Patriotic Denim Jacket - step-by-step guide to creating wearable art
Volleyball Sports Jacket - another jacket to support your favorite athlete
Floral Pants Blue Jeans - wear them and wash them and wear them again!
Canvas CHEER Shoes - completing the cheer outfit from head to toe
Canvas makeup bags - quick and easy personalized gift ideas
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
How can I help with YOUR Custom Denim project?
Paint Your Own Project
If you would like to paint your own denim/canvas project but would like more (video) instruction, I have a very detailed (and affordable) course, The Art of Painted Denim, that guides you through all the steps to create your own canvas/denim. This 1.5+ hour course gives you all the tricks and tips to make it look great and just as importantly make it LAST through the wash!
Allow ME to paint it for YOU!
I offer a variety of painted canvas & denim projects that I custom create for you! You provide the vision, we collaborate on the final look, and I create a beautiful lasting piece just for you! See all my painted denim/canvas offerings HERE...or just shoot me an email with your custom design ideas.
JOIN ME FOR MORE...with Curiously Creative
If you enjoyed this and want more of a deep dive into home decor and DIY processes, I would love it if you joined my exclusive online creative group, Curiously Creative. I show up LIVE to guide you through every step of updating, upcycling, crafting, and creating on-trend home decor and gift-giving ideas!
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