How to Sign Your Artwork and Write a Short Description

You don’t need a long artist statement to share work in the gallery. Two small things help a lot: a clear signature on the piece, and a short title or description when you upload. How to sign your work Use the same name you want to show on Young People’s Art — usually your first name, or a simple artist name. We only display first name (or chosen artist name), age if you want, and province. Leave off last names, school names, addresses, and social media. A good signature is: • Small • Easy to read • The same each time • In a quiet corner, not across the main part of the drawing The year is enough if you want a date. Photo caption: First name and year, small, in a quiet corner. Bottom left works here because the bird fills the right side. What to avoid: • A huge signature that becomes the whole picture • Signing over the most important part of the art • A different name on the paper than the name on your gallery profile • Full name, address, school, or phone number on the art or in the upload If the work is digital, a small name in the corner is fine. If it’s a sculpture or craft, a discreet mark on the back or bottom is enough. Parents: for artists under 16, help them pick one consistent name and keep it. You don’t need to “fix” the signature unless it covers the art or includes private details. How to write the title and short description The title can be very short. The description can be one sentence. Both are optional, but they help people look longer. Easy formula: • Title = what it is, or the feeling • Description = one extra fact (material, place, or why you made it) Examples you can copy and change: Title: Heron Description: Ink drawing from a photo I liked. Title: Bus Window Description: Pencil drawing of the street from the 97 bus. Title: My Desk at Night Description: Markers and leftover homework paper. Title: Orange Leaf Description: Found on the way home from school. Title: Window, 7 p.m. Description: Kitchen window after dinner. If you can’t think of a title, use the weekly prompt name plus one word: This Week’s Prompt — Window. What not to put in the description: • Last name • School name • Address or anything that pinpoints home • Instagram, email, or phone • Outside links or “please buy this” Keep the artwork yours. The gallery just needs enough words so someone else can meet the piece. Then upload 1. Take a clear photo of the artwork. 2. Add the title and short description. 3. Submit it at youngpeoplesart.org If you’re under 16, a parent or guardian creates the account and posts it. We review every piece and usually have it live within a few days. That’s it: small signature, a few words, then share it.