Custom Pop Culture Sneakers Hand-Painted in Mumbai
Your favorite characters and stories, hand-painted on your sneakers. From classic cartoons to modern icons, I turn your kicks into wearable art.
Sometimes the best photoshoots are the ones you don't plan. This kid's smile says it all. Here he is holding the Tom and Jerry themed Nike Air Force 1 Supremes I painted.
May the Force be with your feet. Here are a few pairs of custom Star Wars themed Nike Air Force 1s I created for a client, featuring both Darth Vader and Yoda.
Wanna play? I love getting into the details, and this Chucky-themed project was a dream. I painted these Nike AF1 Mids with inspiration from his outfit, signature knife, and plenty of stitches and blood stains.
Hulk smash! This was one of my most challenging projects. I painted the Hulk breaking through the Nike swoosh on these Air Jordan 1s, which required careful alignment to create the 3D effect.
For the NFT and crypto art fans. I painted a flaming zombie from the Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) collection onto these Nike AF1s, complete with a bold, comic-book aesthetic and dripping red paint effects.
This design is a mashup of two iconic art styles. I hand-painted Kaws-inspired elements alongside the classic cartoon character Scrooge McDuck on a pair of brown Nike Air Force 1 Supreme lows.
It's-a me, Mario! I painted the iconic Super Mario brothers, Mario and Luigi, on these colorful Nike By You Air Force 1s. The bright, playful design is perfect for any fan of the classic video game.
About this collection
When I tackle characters like the Hulk or Scrooge McDuck, it isn't just about painting; it is about mapping the composition to fit the sneaker's paneling without making it look cluttered. I use 5 to 7 layers of Angelus leather paint for deep, vibrant colors, followed by an industrial-grade water and stain-repellent finish. It's not a quick sketch—it is a durable piece of art that is built to handle actual wear and tear on the streets.
How We Make Your Kicks Happen
It starts with an idea—yours. Whether you are into classic cartoons, horror villains, or NFT art, we figure out the placement together. You send me your brand-new Nike Air Force 1s (or your sneaker of choice) at my Mumbai studio, and I get to work.
The Process:
- Mock-up: I send you a digital draft first. We tweak it until it feels right.
- The Grind: I strip the factory finish, paint in layers, and cure everything properly. This takes about 2 to 3 weeks. It sounds long, but rushing art is how you end up with chips and cracks.
- Protection: Every pair gets multiple coats of finisher. These shoes are meant to be worn, not kept in a glass case.
Why Hand-Painted Matters
There is a big difference between printing and hand-painting. Printing is stiff and usually cracks after a few wears. My work is flexible because I use specific leather paints that move with your shoe. If you are worried about the art fading, don't be. The waterproof coating is the real deal.
If you have a wild idea, even if you think it is too weird or too complex, just message me. I have painted everything from dripping blood effects for horror fans to intricate comic-book panels for NFT collectors. Let's make something that looks sick and holds up on your feet.
Ridhii Makkar
Hi, I'm Ridhii. I believe your shoes are the ultimate canvas, so why settle for boring factory pairs? I pour my obsession with pop culture—and your personal stories—into every single brushstroke to make sure your kicks are truly yours.
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