I have done lots of tie-dyeing and I've never used paint. You use dye; that is why it is called tie-dyeing. You need string (very fine) to tie parts of your fabric. These are the parts that will not take the dye. Then you follow the instructions given on the packet of dye. Cold dyes have different instructions from hot dyes so follow them carefully. To some you have to add salt, some not.
I cannot imagine that paint would work but I suppose with a proper fabric paint you could paint on a similar effect so that it could look 'as if' it had been tie-dyed but it would not be the same authentic look in my opinion.
I hope you are happy with your results when you try anyway.
