Nowadays I sign my drawings mostly as a form of protection. Social media makes it so easy for folks to reshare and repost work with no credit to the original artist. I keep it subtle and usually in the bottom-right corner.
I don't think you have to but I choose to because I feel it says to someone else that that piece belongs to someone and I enjoy doing that finishing touch when I feel my piece is complete.
i think it's necessary to help recognise your work as your brand. By putting your name on it you send it out into the world amongst all the other brands, but helping to distinguish yours as unique and just as important as every other brand that is out there. And when a person likes your work, your brand name helps them to recognise and search more of your work. Peace.
Great and very important comments from all of your. Maybe my bigger problem in signin drawings is that i feel like braggin or pretend to be like real artist if sign my works.
@Kimoja Kimmo! Are you kidding? You are a real artist!!! Your work is incredible. I'm just a self-taught doodler and I sign my work. It's about being proud of your creation and trust me, the people that like your style will be proud that you've signed the piece.
I can definitely see why artists do that, but I don't personally...I really admire when artists have a cool, well thought-out mark or symbol that serves as the signature .. something that you could make a stamp out of and just SEAL THAT SUCKER! love it.
@lettermore That's interesting that you don't Why is that?
@Kimoja Say what? You are kidding right? Your work is fabulous. There is no such thing as a "real artist" in the end you find the group of people that like your style or messaging.
I agree that not everything needs a signature if you are sketching in your book and what have you, but it's your art, do what you please with it!
Thanks @okat and @carolinerodriguez for so kind comments :) Why i start and want this discussion? It is not that i feel i am not any good and worth of it. Some reasons , i dont know why, i am not feeling comfortable when sign my works. Like Lauren @lettermore says i want some stamp or something to mark my works. In my new post i use some kind of it
I think that if you want to share your art, you should sign it in an easy to see place so if someone steals it, you have your watermark on it. People can remove watermarks in Photoshop but if you signed it, it's more likely that someone who saw your original piece will recognize that it's your art because they saw your signature on it originally and they can notify you. If you don't want to share it or if you are only going to show someone briefly in person, you don't really need to sign it. You should always put the date on your art, so you can look back to that point in time and know when you made the art and you can measure your growth through time. It also helps you organize your art by style because that changes over time and you probably made the art of the same or a similar style if the periods are near each other. It's still up to you but I think signing your work (espiacally if you have a large following) is a good way to prevent art theft but tracing is kind of difficult to avoid because they don't need to remove your signature, they drew it so they just wont put it in. Tracing is fine if you do it for practice but not if you claim it so maybe try something more thorough if you are worried about that. I get that feeling of not wanting to sign my artwork. It makes it feel less organic sometimes. Try coming up with some sort of a logo or a symbol that you can mark your art with, that can help sometimes. You can make it less conspicuous but still clear. Or if you really don't wanna sign it, who says you have to! Your art is all up to you so do what makes you happy! Like @lettermore said, it has benefits but if you don't like it, that's totally okay too. If you put a date on it, even on the back if it's not digital, time can be enough proof.
@Kimoja Anything creative that expresses something is art. from poems to still-lifes. From art school to self-taught. From doodles to realism, it's all art! I don't think signing is like bragging at all, I think it's just a preference of signing it or not signing it. Maybe try signing the back, or just putting a date. If someone takes a signature as a brag, they probably still wont take a date as one.
Some of my favorite artists sign their work on the back, and I feel like there's confidence in that... They choose purity of the art over self promotion or credit. It's like they know their style is so recognizable that they don't need their signature on the art.
Other times I see artists on the internet use a giant watermark name across their art. Often the people who do that aren't even good -- no one's going to "steal their work." It's just offensive to the viewer.
Signing subtlely in the corner is OK. It's standard and what most people advise. Some asian artists use a red stamp as a signature and that can look really nice.
I guess I'd like to sign my work on the front but I don't because I feel like it would detract from the art. The few times I've done it -- I've regretted it... so I sign on the back unless a buyer requests otherwise.
I rarely (if ever) sign a doodled drawing as that takes away from the spontaneous nature of doodling. If I have put enough work into the drawing I usually sign it as a finishing touch.
@hugo I thought about your note about how a signature legitimizes the art. To your point -- I suspect if a person is a fan of an artist then they would actually LIKE the signature on the art for that exact reason, if they are buying a piece. It also helps for identification if the work is posted or pinned on Pinterest with no credit. So maybe I should rethink my take on it. I just worry it could look "spammy." It just depends on the art. For some people a signature fits naturally and even looks good on a piece. As a buyer I would definitely want the signature.
What @literarysketches say about date at back of paper is really good idea ! I start to use it, later is hard to say when draw it I’ve been thinkin that asian style stamp too. It looks nice too
I don't think you NEED to sign your work, but I like to write my name and the date on most of my doodles and art just because it makes it seem complete.
I think it depends on the kind of artwork you produce and your audience. It can be a distraction to some. If it’s a work on paper, I find it safest to include a small signature (with print number and number of edition size if limited edition) in an area that can easily be shown or hidden depending on how they decide to mat the piece.
Sign it! I struggled with a signature on my art at first, I felt it didn't look right, and I never really liked the way my name and signature looked. So I decided to look at it as art within art...artception, if you would, create a fun signature that is unique.
I appreciate when people do it cuz sometimes when I like an artpiece I want to know who did it and it may be almost impossible to find who did it XD That's why I sign mine❣
I feel that signing your work is necessary. It shows that your art work is finished and adds to the overall professional look. It can also make you feel like a true artist and build up some confidence too.
I try to always sign pieces I give as gifts, sell, or post on social media. I didn't used to. I started because 1) It's mine 2) if it becomes owned by someone else over the years they could forget who created it in the 1st place or someone else could end up with it and never be given the name of who made it. 3) paranoia 4) I can usually sign small enough that it doesn't disrupt the image.
Downside of signing--As my work tends to be abstract sometimes it looks good from more than 1 direction 9 I love when that happens). the signature can make someone assume it's supposed to be presented in a certain way when it doesn't have to be.
I wish I was better at dating drawings. Unless I sign it I don't think of it, but if I never share the piece in some way I tend not to sign it, so I have a bunch of drawings that I can only guess at when I did it.
For me personally, I enjoy signing my work. It's something I have always done, and it's a signal for myself, it means I finished that piece and I'm both happy and proud that I have. I very rarely touch a piece after I've signed it. It does help with the copyright thing too. If the piece looks like a signature would ruin it, then I work it into the design itself so it disappears from direct view (like in the pattern of tree bark, or a clothing pattern). This also makes it harder for someone to crop out as well if you're concerned about this kind of thing. But it also depends on the work too, what kind of piece you are designing, what it will be used for etc. It is definitely a person to person preference. But yes, for myself, I like to sign my work.
I used to refuse signing on the front of my art work for reasons that it disturbed the composition. Space was my thing. My past art teacher said we could use the signature to balance the work...well I do not buy that. But looking back at my past works between 2010-2015, I find the works seem empty without the signature.
I think signing your artwork is important simply because it's to recognize who put their hands to it. Some signatures that I've seen were illegible and to me that's just like not signing at all. I prefer to have my signatures legible whether on the front or back.
I feel weird doing it and often forget.
However, I would love to make it a happen for the pure fact of internet thiefs exist.
I do find that I never like my signature though...I feel like it’s always subpar in comparison to what I’m signing.
ITS YOUR WORK AND YOU LOVE IT ,,ALL ARTISTS OR DOODLER'S ] DO WHAT THEY DO AND PUT THERE PICS ON DISPLAY ie THESE SITES ,,, FOR ARE REASON ,,,SO SIGN IT OR NOT ,, ITS UP TO YOU ,, PUT IT ON THE BACK IF IT FELLS BETTER,,,, [ I DO IN LARGE INK ],,THAT WAY IT AIN'T ON SHOW WHEN YOU PUT IT ON DISPLAY....
PS ,, NICE WORK,,
I grew up with artist signing their work. Sometimes I hide it within the piece I have created. I definitely sign the back and date it, especially if I feel it is a wonderful piece. My Step Mother Sally was a great painter and she always signed hers so I carry on the tradition most of the time.
Short answer - Because it's the internet, I sign my work. Long answer - I obsessively sign ALL my drawings and/or watermark them (both visibly and invisibly) because of a past, ugly incident where someone was taking credit for my work. It got to the point where they complained to the company and had my account suspended. Also, I only post low resolution versions of my work online (you can still get a good sense of the completed work) and keep copies of my work-in-progress sketches, reference photos and scan iterations of my progress. Some might say that I’m going overboard, some might say it ruins the look, but I went through hell trying to regain ownership of my work - if it happens again, I’m making sure I have all I need to defend myself.
I feel like it depend on the art piece. Without a signature, it's easy for someone on the web to just steal artwork as their own. At the same time, some piece I make feels like they would be ruined if I leave my mark somewhere on it.
I used to not care about signing my work or leaving a biz card in with my prints but a friend that has gone through art school really suggested I do so. I remember I was out selling my work at an outdoor market and a woman actually asked me to sign a print that she bought. Now that I buy artwork I can see why people would like that extra touch from an artist they admire.
The "Question of the Week" is submitted by our Plus members with the intention to educate or spark a creative conversation. Real people, not robots, hand-pick the best questions to feature alongside a profile spotlight to help that artist gain exposure within the community.
If you're not a Plus member, you'll still have the ability engage in the discussions and learn from the community. However, the support of Plus members is what keeps Doodle Addicts afloat and enables us to continuosly provide awesome new features to the community. Click here to learn more about the perks of going Plus!
39 Comments
Hugo Seijas (@hugo)
I don't find it necessary for most things, but I think it legitimatizes the art that is actually sold as authentic.
OKAT (@okat)
Nowadays I sign my drawings mostly as a form of protection. Social media makes it so easy for folks to reshare and repost work with no credit to the original artist. I keep it subtle and usually in the bottom-right corner.
Tressy Jane (@tressyjane)
I don't think you have to but I choose to because I feel it says to someone else that that piece belongs to someone and I enjoy doing that finishing touch when I feel my piece is complete.
kid tiki (@kidtiki)
i think it's necessary to help recognise your work as your brand. By putting your name on it you send it out into the world amongst all the other brands, but helping to distinguish yours as unique and just as important as every other brand that is out there. And when a person likes your work, your brand name helps them to recognise and search more of your work. Peace.
Kimmo Oja (@Kimoja)
Great and very important comments from all of your. Maybe my bigger problem in signin drawings is that i feel like braggin or pretend to be like real artist if sign my works.
OKAT (@okat)
@Kimoja Kimmo! Are you kidding? You are a real artist!!! Your work is incredible. I'm just a self-taught doodler and I sign my work. It's about being proud of your creation and trust me, the people that like your style will be proud that you've signed the piece.
Lauren Konopacki (@lettermore)
I can definitely see why artists do that, but I don't personally...I really admire when artists have a cool, well thought-out mark or symbol that serves as the signature .. something that you could make a stamp out of and just SEAL THAT SUCKER! love it.
Caroline Rodriguez (@carolinerodriguez)
@lettermore That's interesting that you don't Why is that? @Kimoja Say what? You are kidding right? Your work is fabulous. There is no such thing as a "real artist" in the end you find the group of people that like your style or messaging. I agree that not everything needs a signature if you are sketching in your book and what have you, but it's your art, do what you please with it!
Kimmo Oja (@Kimoja)
Thanks @okat and @carolinerodriguez for so kind comments :) Why i start and want this discussion? It is not that i feel i am not any good and worth of it. Some reasons , i dont know why, i am not feeling comfortable when sign my works. Like Lauren @lettermore says i want some stamp or something to mark my works. In my new post i use some kind of it
LiterarySketches (@LiterarySketches)
I think that if you want to share your art, you should sign it in an easy to see place so if someone steals it, you have your watermark on it. People can remove watermarks in Photoshop but if you signed it, it's more likely that someone who saw your original piece will recognize that it's your art because they saw your signature on it originally and they can notify you. If you don't want to share it or if you are only going to show someone briefly in person, you don't really need to sign it. You should always put the date on your art, so you can look back to that point in time and know when you made the art and you can measure your growth through time. It also helps you organize your art by style because that changes over time and you probably made the art of the same or a similar style if the periods are near each other. It's still up to you but I think signing your work (espiacally if you have a large following) is a good way to prevent art theft but tracing is kind of difficult to avoid because they don't need to remove your signature, they drew it so they just wont put it in. Tracing is fine if you do it for practice but not if you claim it so maybe try something more thorough if you are worried about that. I get that feeling of not wanting to sign my artwork. It makes it feel less organic sometimes. Try coming up with some sort of a logo or a symbol that you can mark your art with, that can help sometimes. You can make it less conspicuous but still clear. Or if you really don't wanna sign it, who says you have to! Your art is all up to you so do what makes you happy! Like @lettermore said, it has benefits but if you don't like it, that's totally okay too. If you put a date on it, even on the back if it's not digital, time can be enough proof.
LiterarySketches (@LiterarySketches)
@Kimoja Anything creative that expresses something is art. from poems to still-lifes. From art school to self-taught. From doodles to realism, it's all art! I don't think signing is like bragging at all, I think it's just a preference of signing it or not signing it. Maybe try signing the back, or just putting a date. If someone takes a signature as a brag, they probably still wont take a date as one.
LiterarySketches (@LiterarySketches)
@kidtiki Well said
Junkyard Sam (@JunkyardSam)
Some of my favorite artists sign their work on the back, and I feel like there's confidence in that... They choose purity of the art over self promotion or credit. It's like they know their style is so recognizable that they don't need their signature on the art. Other times I see artists on the internet use a giant watermark name across their art. Often the people who do that aren't even good -- no one's going to "steal their work." It's just offensive to the viewer. Signing subtlely in the corner is OK. It's standard and what most people advise. Some asian artists use a red stamp as a signature and that can look really nice. I guess I'd like to sign my work on the front but I don't because I feel like it would detract from the art. The few times I've done it -- I've regretted it... so I sign on the back unless a buyer requests otherwise.
Bobcomics (@Bobcomics)
I rarely (if ever) sign a doodled drawing as that takes away from the spontaneous nature of doodling. If I have put enough work into the drawing I usually sign it as a finishing touch.
Hugo Seijas (@hugo)
@JunkyardSam yes! It also puts a huge barrier to anyone that wants to share it because of the huge water mark.
Junkyard Sam (@JunkyardSam)
@hugo I thought about your note about how a signature legitimizes the art. To your point -- I suspect if a person is a fan of an artist then they would actually LIKE the signature on the art for that exact reason, if they are buying a piece. It also helps for identification if the work is posted or pinned on Pinterest with no credit. So maybe I should rethink my take on it. I just worry it could look "spammy." It just depends on the art. For some people a signature fits naturally and even looks good on a piece. As a buyer I would definitely want the signature.
AKU NAPIE (@akunapie)
for me, i do sign it. because i proud with my artwork. :)
Kimmo Oja (@Kimoja)
What @literarysketches say about date at back of paper is really good idea ! I start to use it, later is hard to say when draw it I’ve been thinkin that asian style stamp too. It looks nice too
Joanna M Gregores (@joannagregores)
Ialways sign my work, i think it's a way of showing that your respect what you do!
Marina Wang (@Bungehappy)
I don't think you NEED to sign your work, but I like to write my name and the date on most of my doodles and art just because it makes it seem complete.
Dietrich Adonis (@ArtNinja2000)
ALWAYS SIGN YOUR WORK
Melissa R Cooper (@Melissarochell)
I think it depends on the kind of artwork you produce and your audience. It can be a distraction to some. If it’s a work on paper, I find it safest to include a small signature (with print number and number of edition size if limited edition) in an area that can easily be shown or hidden depending on how they decide to mat the piece.
Phil Conner (@pcartistry)
Sign it! I struggled with a signature on my art at first, I felt it didn't look right, and I never really liked the way my name and signature looked. So I decided to look at it as art within art...artception, if you would, create a fun signature that is unique.
J.Kill & Hide (@Dallyvanters)
I appreciate when people do it cuz sometimes when I like an artpiece I want to know who did it and it may be almost impossible to find who did it XD That's why I sign mine❣
k librandi (@thespecterhermit)
I feel that signing your work is necessary. It shows that your art work is finished and adds to the overall professional look. It can also make you feel like a true artist and build up some confidence too.
L (@Tuininga)
I try to always sign pieces I give as gifts, sell, or post on social media. I didn't used to. I started because 1) It's mine 2) if it becomes owned by someone else over the years they could forget who created it in the 1st place or someone else could end up with it and never be given the name of who made it. 3) paranoia 4) I can usually sign small enough that it doesn't disrupt the image. Downside of signing--As my work tends to be abstract sometimes it looks good from more than 1 direction 9 I love when that happens). the signature can make someone assume it's supposed to be presented in a certain way when it doesn't have to be. I wish I was better at dating drawings. Unless I sign it I don't think of it, but if I never share the piece in some way I tend not to sign it, so I have a bunch of drawings that I can only guess at when I did it.
Helene Mckerlie (@DragonflyzDen)
For me personally, I enjoy signing my work. It's something I have always done, and it's a signal for myself, it means I finished that piece and I'm both happy and proud that I have. I very rarely touch a piece after I've signed it. It does help with the copyright thing too. If the piece looks like a signature would ruin it, then I work it into the design itself so it disappears from direct view (like in the pattern of tree bark, or a clothing pattern). This also makes it harder for someone to crop out as well if you're concerned about this kind of thing. But it also depends on the work too, what kind of piece you are designing, what it will be used for etc. It is definitely a person to person preference. But yes, for myself, I like to sign my work.
erik cheung (@Kire)
I used to refuse signing on the front of my art work for reasons that it disturbed the composition. Space was my thing. My past art teacher said we could use the signature to balance the work...well I do not buy that. But looking back at my past works between 2010-2015, I find the works seem empty without the signature.
Sonja Monica Beijneveld (@sonjamonica)
Maybe your creation is your signature?
Marqueta Wells (@40Smartbeauty)
I think signing your artwork is important simply because it's to recognize who put their hands to it. Some signatures that I've seen were illegible and to me that's just like not signing at all. I prefer to have my signatures legible whether on the front or back.
Leighanne (@AbstractHuman8)
I feel weird doing it and often forget. However, I would love to make it a happen for the pure fact of internet thiefs exist. I do find that I never like my signature though...I feel like it’s always subpar in comparison to what I’m signing.
Artlicity (@artlicity)
I think drawing signatures is important because some people benefit from you and sell your paintings as an artist.
KEVIN (@doodlekev)
ITS YOUR WORK AND YOU LOVE IT ,,ALL ARTISTS OR DOODLER'S ] DO WHAT THEY DO AND PUT THERE PICS ON DISPLAY ie THESE SITES ,,, FOR ARE REASON ,,,SO SIGN IT OR NOT ,, ITS UP TO YOU ,, PUT IT ON THE BACK IF IT FELLS BETTER,,,, [ I DO IN LARGE INK ],,THAT WAY IT AIN'T ON SHOW WHEN YOU PUT IT ON DISPLAY.... PS ,, NICE WORK,,
Hayley Jackson (@hayleygjackson)
I do it to protect my art from being stolen and for authenticity when sold. People buying art also prefer it signed in my experience too.
Dietrich Adonis (@ArtNinja2000)
Sign or initial doodles, sketches, artwork of any kind. . .ALWAYS!!
Tina Marie (@BLESSED13)
I grew up with artist signing their work. Sometimes I hide it within the piece I have created. I definitely sign the back and date it, especially if I feel it is a wonderful piece. My Step Mother Sally was a great painter and she always signed hers so I carry on the tradition most of the time.
Joer_B (@JoerB)
Short answer - Because it's the internet, I sign my work. Long answer - I obsessively sign ALL my drawings and/or watermark them (both visibly and invisibly) because of a past, ugly incident where someone was taking credit for my work. It got to the point where they complained to the company and had my account suspended. Also, I only post low resolution versions of my work online (you can still get a good sense of the completed work) and keep copies of my work-in-progress sketches, reference photos and scan iterations of my progress. Some might say that I’m going overboard, some might say it ruins the look, but I went through hell trying to regain ownership of my work - if it happens again, I’m making sure I have all I need to defend myself.
Kim Nguyen (@hkimngu)
I feel like it depend on the art piece. Without a signature, it's easy for someone on the web to just steal artwork as their own. At the same time, some piece I make feels like they would be ruined if I leave my mark somewhere on it.
Tricia Clark (@gouacheink)
I used to not care about signing my work or leaving a biz card in with my prints but a friend that has gone through art school really suggested I do so. I remember I was out selling my work at an outdoor market and a woman actually asked me to sign a print that she bought. Now that I buy artwork I can see why people would like that extra touch from an artist they admire.