A title is the first thing many viewers read, and it sets a tone for how they look. It also helps you and buyers identify and keep track of the work. A good title does not need to be clever. It should fit the painting and be something you are comfortable seeing on a label for years.
What a good title does
- It adds something to the image rather than repeating it.
- It leaves room for the viewer to interpret the painting.
- It is easy to read, remember and write down.
- It is distinct enough that you can tell your works apart in a list.
Some artists prefer plain descriptive titles (“Pears on a Blue Cloth”). Others prefer poetic ones. Neither is wrong. What matters is that the title suits your style and the work.
Ways to find a title
Start with the feeling
Write down the mood the painting gives you. List words for it: quiet, restless, warm, stormy. A short phrase built from one of those words can make an effective title.
Pick a small detail
Instead of naming the obvious subject, name something easily missed, such as a color, a small object or a patch of light. This invites viewers to look more closely.
Use the story behind it
If the piece came from a place, trip, season or memory, you can name it after that moment. A specific time or place often gives a title that feels personal.
Draw on symbols
Objects, colors or animals can stand for an idea. A title can point to the idea without describing the picture literally.
Borrow carefully from other sources
Lines from poems, song titles or phrases from books can be tempting. Titles are generally not protected the way full works are, but if you quote a line, credit the source and check you are comfortable with how it reads. If you are unsure, choose your own wording.
Try a series approach
If you are painting several works around a theme, a consistent naming pattern, such as a place name plus a number, or related words, can tie them together. A daily painting challenge is a natural source of series.
Should you use “Untitled”?
Calling a painting “Untitled” is a legitimate choice, especially in abstract or intuitive painting, and some artists add a parenthetical description, such as “Untitled (Red Study)”. But making it a default can make a piece feel unfinished, and it makes cataloging harder because several works end up with the same name. If you use it, consider adding a short descriptor so each piece is distinct.
A last-resort method
If nothing comes, ask a friend what they see, or list ten possible words and combine two. You can also set the title aside for a few days. Titles often come more easily after you have had a break from the painting.
Test your title
Before you commit, ask:
- Does it still make sense if I read it without seeing the painting?
- Does it say something the image does not already say?
- Is it too similar to another work of mine?
- Can I spell and type it without difficulty?
How to write the title correctly
On a label, place the title in italics if possible, followed by the year. Use the same spelling and capitalization everywhere: on the label, the back of the canvas, your records and any entry form. See how to label a painting for exhibition and what to put on the back of a painting for where the title goes. Naming is also part of finishing a work, covered in our guide to finishing a painting.
Common questions
How do I come up with an art name? Start from emotion, a detail, a story or a symbol, and write down several options before choosing one.
How do I properly title an artwork? Choose a title, then use it consistently on the label, the back of the work and your records, usually with the year.
Can I change a title later? Yes, but update every record and label so they match, particularly if the work has been sold or shown.