You’ve got a brilliant idea for your next creation, but you’re stuck coming up with a name for your artwork. In fact, you’ve got a batch of artwork with no names and a serious case of writer’s block to boot.
An artwork name generator might be the answer to all your problems.
Jasper's AI Image Suite uses AI to help you come up with handfuls of random artwork names at the click of a button. Keep reading to learn more about creating unique names for your artistic creations and how to use Jasper to save you time (and headaches).
What makes a good artwork title
Just like book titles hint at the theme of the story inside, a good art title hints at the theme of its art. Other features of a compelling artwork title include:
- It hints at your inspiration.
- It’s memorable.
- It’s original.
- It tells a story.
- It’s not cheesy.
- It lets the viewer add their own interpretation.
You can do this in several ways, such as drawing on emotion, color, or the subject your painting refers to.
Emotion
To start, try identifying the emotion or feeling you want to convey with your art and its title, then come up with a list of words or phrases that evoke that feeling for you.
Don’t be afraid to use a name that leaves room for interpretation—that can add to the emotions you want the viewer to feel when they see your art.
Some examples of famous artworks with titles that evoke emotion include:
- “Inconsolable Grief” by Ivan Kramskoi
- “The Scream” by Edvard Munch
- “Emerge in Light” by Gerald Obregon
Color
Does your artwork incorporate shades of a single color or focus on a specific palette? You could use those hues in your title.
Colors also help convey emotion, so don’t be afraid to mention one in your title even if it’s not part of your main color scheme. Another creative angle you can take while using color in your title is to search for a specific shade of a common color. For example:
- Blue → cerulean
- Green → sage
- Pink → rose
Some famous artworks that draw color into the title include:
- “The Golden Wall” by Hans Hofmann
- “Black Iris” by Georgia O’Keeffe
- “Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Chelsea” by James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Subject
Referring to a subject in your artwork can add to the story the piece conveys. It can give the subject of your piece a name to clarify the meaning behind your art—or the name may add to the mystery.
For example, “Christina’s World” gives the girl in Andrew Wyeth’s painting a name, but the mystery remains. Who is Christina, and why is this field and the house on the hill considered her world?
- “The Weeping Woman” by Pablo Picasso
- “Revenge of the Goldfish” by Sandy Skoglund
- “The Incredulity of Saint Thomas” by Caravaggio
Inspiration
Sometimes your artwork’s title is the perfect place to give a nod to the inspiration behind your piece. Perhaps you’ve been inspired by an event, or maybe another artist’s work got your creative gears going. Whatever the case, you can add homage to this source in your title.
Some examples of art titles that include inspiration include:
- “The Domain of Arnheim” by Rene Magritte (inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Domain of Arnheim”)
- “Listening to Music by Schumann” by Fernand Khnopff
- “Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening” by Salvador DalÍ
Reasons to not name your artwork “Untitled”
But what if you’re still stuck trying to come up with an artwork name? Should you stick with “Untitled” and let the viewers decide what they want to call your piece?
Probably not. It’s better to give your art a name other than “Untitled” to convey the value of the piece and help it become memorable. Especially if you’re running an art business and hope to sell your artwork.
Another point against using “Untitled” as an art title is the fact that viewers will have a harder time finding your work through search. A unique name for your artwork gives it a much better chance of appearing as a top result on page one.
At the end of the day, just remember there is no right name for your artwork. What you name your piece of art is up to you and only you. After all, you’re the artist.
How to create great names for your artwork with Jasper
Sometimes you need a jumping off point to come up with the perfect name for your art. Especially if you’re posting dozens of paintings and sketches on your art blog, brainstorming names can quickly become a chore.
Thankfully, AI can help. Jasper uses algorithms to help you brainstorm names for your artwork. Using its Business or Product Name template as an art title generator, you can quickly and easily come up with dozens of name ideas.
We used Jasper to brainstorm title ideas for a fictitious painting depicting a Milky Way bar on a field of stars with several hands reaching toward it. It was as simple as giving Jasper this description plus the keywords we wanted it to include in the title (“Milky Way”). We pressed Generate and got several art title ideas with potential:
- “Milky Way’s Grasp”
- “Milky Way Horizons”
- “Milky Way Dreamscape”
- “Milky Way's Touch”
- “Milky Way Dreamscape“
P.S. Use Jasper’s “A Thousand Words is Worth a Picture” template to come up with art prompts when you have no idea what to paint next. It even adds artistic style notes to give you direction for color and emotion.
Here’s another example of this template giving a great painting description:
“A serene beach scene at sunset, with calm waves gently lapping against the shore. The sky is painted in soft, pastel hues of pink, orange, and purple, reflecting off the crystal clear water. In the distance, a lone sailboat can be seen, silhouetted against the vibrant sky. The overall style is inspired by the works of Renaissance artist, Sandro Botticelli, with a dreamy and romantic touch.”
7 Tips for creating unique artwork names
If you run an art business or blog, chances are you already have plenty of practice brainstorming unique names. But if you feel like your art titles are missing a little something, here are some tips to get you started:
Start thinking about your artwork’s title while you’re creating it.
Thinking about your artwork's title while creating it can enhance the overall concept and message of the piece. By considering the title early in the creative process, you can ensure that the name complements the artwork's theme, style, and emotions.
This approach helps create a cohesive connection between the visual elements of the artwork and the title, making the piece more impactful and memorable to viewers
Tell a story of how your art came to be.
Naming artwork is not just about coming up with a catchy phrase; it's an opportunity to tell a story.
When you give your art a title that narrates how it came to be, you invite viewers into the emotional journey behind the piece. This storytelling aspect adds depth and meaning, creating a more engaging experience for those interacting with your work. By weaving a story into your art's title, you establish a connection that goes beyond the visual, resonating with the audience on a personal level.
Storytelling in naming artwork elevates its significance, leaving a lasting impact on viewers long after they have seen it.
Ask friends and family for suggestions.
Seeking input from family and friends when naming art can offer valuable perspectives and insights that you may not have considered on your own. They can provide fresh viewpoints, emotional connections, and different interpretations based on their unique experiences and relationships with you. Their input can spark new ideas, trigger memories, or highlight elements of your artwork that resonate with them, enriching the narrative behind the piece.
Involving loved ones in the naming process can also deepen their engagement with your art, as they feel a sense of involvement and connection to the creative journey.
Using simple and descriptive words is best.
When naming a painting, using simple and descriptive words works well because it allows for clear communication and immediate understanding of the piece's essence.
Simple words have a universal appeal and can resonate with a broader audience, making the artwork more accessible and engaging. Descriptive words help convey the mood, theme, or focal point of the painting, guiding viewers to interpret the piece in a way that aligns with the artist's intention.
By choosing straightforward and vivid language, the title can serve as a window into the painting's story, inviting viewers to connect with it on a deeper level.
Don’t state the obvious if you can, but sometimes it’s necessary.
Choosing an obvious title for your artwork can limit the viewer's interpretation and engagement with the piece. An obvious title may leave little room for imagination or exploration, providing a one-dimensional view of the artwork.
By opting for a more nuanced or abstract title, artists can spark curiosity and invite viewers to delve deeper into the layers of meaning within the painting. This not only enhances the overall experience for the audience but also allows for a richer and more personal connection with the artwork.
Avoid clichés.
Clichés should be avoided at all costs when naming art because they lack originality and depth.
Using clichéd titles can make the artwork seem uninteresting or uninspired, failing to capture the true essence and uniqueness of the piece. Art is meant to evoke emotions, thoughts, and interpretations, and a cliché title can detract from this by offering a generic or overused description.
To truly engage viewers and allow them to connect with the artwork on a deeper level, artists should strive for titles that are fresh, thought-provoking, and reflective of the complexity and beauty of the piece.
Keep things short and sweet if possible.
Keeping art titles short and sweet is crucial in evoking thoughts and emotions from the viewer because brevity can enhance the impact of a title.
Short and sweet titles leave room for imagination and curiosity, inviting viewers to engage with the artwork on a more personal level by prompting them to explore the piece further to uncover its meaning and significance. Concise titles also have a certain elegance and simplicity that can resonate with viewers, drawing them in and creating a sense of intrigue that encourages a deeper connection with the artwork.
Name Your Next Piece of Art Today with Jasper
While you're at it, try out Jasper's AI Image Suite, which allows you to generate completely unique AI-generated images. All you need to do is give Jasper a little creative direction and watch him go.
With Jasper's intuitive platform, you can effortlessly bring your artistic vision to life. Explore a world of inspiration and innovation by using Jasper templates to give your creations the perfect title. Let Jasper elevate your artistry and take your work to new heights. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your art into something extraordinary.
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