Introduction-
Angelus Leather Paint is a unique painting medium made specifically for working on leather and fabrics. The Angelus Brand is marketed for leather customisation and care; however, its products have been used in many other kinds of customisation projects, such as jackets, fabrics, shoes, and more.
In 2021, I started designing and selling shoes customised with Angelus Leather Paint. In 2024, a talented designer, Nitnaja, began making and selling custom leather earrings, decorated with Angelus Leather Paint. Why is Angelus Leather Paint so appealing to young designers? This blog aims to review the Angelus Leather Paint products and answer that question.
Check out these unique, custom earrings by Nitnaja-
First Impressions-
Nitnaja started out using an Angelus Basic Set, which contains everything needed to get started with custom leather projects. The Angelus Leather Paint Basics Set includes the five main colours needed for mixing: black, white, blue, red, and yellow. It also includes a brush set and a leather Preparer and Deglazer bottle.
This set is ideal for making custom shoes, wallets, belts, and bags, but it can also be used to restore worn-out leather products. It has everything needed to start using Angelus and try out the medium.
I started out using single Angelus Leather Paints and slowly built up a collection of colours depending on the specific projects I was commissioned for. I bought the paints in individual 29.5 ml bottles, each of which contains a brush attached to the lid of the bottle, similar to bottles of nail polish. I also bought containers of Angelus Leather Finisher in both Matte and High Gloss, which can be used to seal and protect artworks made on objects that will often be worn or used.
Although purchasing the Basic Set has the advantage of giving beginners everything needed to start with, buying individual colours is better for smaller projects, or for artist’s and hobbyists with specific plans in mind.
Using Angelus Leather Paint-
The first thing that stands out about Angelus Leather Paint is the opacity and pigmentation of the paint, which can even be seen on black or dark coloured leather. The paint is extremely easy to mix and use for long periods, and has a relatively fast drying time. Angelus Leather Paint can be challenging to blend at first, but it is extremely easy to use on large areas and dries with an even coat. The selection of finishers and colours gives the artist room for endless creativity. A little goes a long way with this paint type, meaning that even smaller 29.5 ml bottles can be used to completely customise a pair of shoes.
The biggest advantages of Angelus Leather Paint as opposed to fabric paints includes its versatility, cost-effectiveness, quality and range of accessories that make the customization process much easier, such as the finishers and Deglazers. However, as an initial purchase, the paint can be expensive. The quick drying time means that blending can be difficult and can get messy. For smaller custom projects, such as pencil bags and fabric shoes, fabric paint is a more affordable option.
Conclusion and Closing Thoughts-
Angelus Leather Paint is a great art supply for both hobbyists, aspiring artists and professionals alike. It is ideal for small businesses, such as Nitnaja and Em Studios, as it remains affordable while still yielding high-quality, durable and colourful results. This versatile medium can be used in an array of different projects, from leather restoration, to custom leather or fabric products.
