I did a painting of a baby bird that was reluctant to fly, sitting on a branch looking outward. I titled it "Finding courage..." and it sold as soon as I posted it. To a mother who was sending her first child off to college... Clint is right.....
I like to think I practice a hybrid method when it comes to titles. The first thing that comes to my mind when finishing a painting is usually what I use and I like to keep it to one or two words. My website and other sites show the titles, even if just a series, like “Flow” 1,2, 3 and so on. However, back when I was hosting Open Studios, I numbered the paintings and had a separate price list with a corresponding title for anyone who wanted to see. I found that visitors came up with their own (sometimes surprising!) stories. The emotional connection was a revelation to me and opened up many interesting conversations-and also resulted in sales.
I am looking for a title for a commissioned painting: a 100 yr old car museum with 3 cars and 3 men: grandfather, son and grandson together in a zig zag move through history. Can anyone help me with a suggestion?
In June (2023) I attempted to photograph a daytime celestial event but weather did not allow it. I submitted a slight crop to the BoldBrush art contest. Without it's title the image is unrecognizable, so I suspect that the title had everything to do with it being awarded "Outstanding Digital" in the July contest, "Still Life with Junipers and Shallow Water and Cows and US-50".
My titles are based on emotions and experiences either desired or passed. People definitely identify with your message and get caught up in their own emotions that spring from your title. I just cant' stand it when an artist "cops out " with with their "Untitled #300" etc. I recently decided to use ideas presented in a book I have which speaks to verbs, nouns or adjectives that speak to the action.
An example might be "Expanding Horizons" etc. if I have a painting that perhaps has a horizon feel. An example by Donna R. below..."Finding Courage" is another positive vibe title.
Absolutely correct! Titles do matter and make a difference to the potential buyer. I also shy away from simple place names, only used when important to the event or at a loss for a better title and out of time.
I don’t care for overly dramatic titles, LOL
Learned from a famous artist not to take myself too seriously, and from another to have fun! Some titles can have dual meaning, I let the viewer decide. (Fisherman’s Best Friend-the lighthouse or the eventually discovered dog?) Also enjoy using common phrases, quotes, popular passages (It’s 5-o’clock Somewhere). And I chuckle to myself when humor hits me (Green, Eggs and Ham; or A Pigeon, a Chicken and a Bear Walk into a Bar… {I must reshoot that, I muted that blue corner!}).
I did a painting of a baby bird that was reluctant to fly, sitting on a branch looking outward. I titled it "Finding courage..." and it sold as soon as I posted it. To a mother who was sending her first child off to college... Clint is right.....
I like to think I practice a hybrid method when it comes to titles. The first thing that comes to my mind when finishing a painting is usually what I use and I like to keep it to one or two words. My website and other sites show the titles, even if just a series, like “Flow” 1,2, 3 and so on. However, back when I was hosting Open Studios, I numbered the paintings and had a separate price list with a corresponding title for anyone who wanted to see. I found that visitors came up with their own (sometimes surprising!) stories. The emotional connection was a revelation to me and opened up many interesting conversations-and also resulted in sales.
I am looking for a title for a commissioned painting: a 100 yr old car museum with 3 cars and 3 men: grandfather, son and grandson together in a zig zag move through history. Can anyone help me with a suggestion?
Motor Legacy
In June (2023) I attempted to photograph a daytime celestial event but weather did not allow it. I submitted a slight crop to the BoldBrush art contest. Without it's title the image is unrecognizable, so I suspect that the title had everything to do with it being awarded "Outstanding Digital" in the July contest, "Still Life with Junipers and Shallow Water and Cows and US-50".
My titles are based on emotions and experiences either desired or passed. People definitely identify with your message and get caught up in their own emotions that spring from your title. I just cant' stand it when an artist "cops out " with with their "Untitled #300" etc. I recently decided to use ideas presented in a book I have which speaks to verbs, nouns or adjectives that speak to the action.
An example might be "Expanding Horizons" etc. if I have a painting that perhaps has a horizon feel. An example by Donna R. below..."Finding Courage" is another positive vibe title.
Absolutely correct! Titles do matter and make a difference to the potential buyer. I also shy away from simple place names, only used when important to the event or at a loss for a better title and out of time.
I don’t care for overly dramatic titles, LOL
Learned from a famous artist not to take myself too seriously, and from another to have fun! Some titles can have dual meaning, I let the viewer decide. (Fisherman’s Best Friend-the lighthouse or the eventually discovered dog?) Also enjoy using common phrases, quotes, popular passages (It’s 5-o’clock Somewhere). And I chuckle to myself when humor hits me (Green, Eggs and Ham; or A Pigeon, a Chicken and a Bear Walk into a Bar… {I must reshoot that, I muted that blue corner!}).
Contemplation