A great artwork description doesn't just describe — it sells. It creates an emotional connection, answers buyer questions before they ask, and gives people the confidence to click "buy." This guide shows you exactly how to write descriptions that convert browsers into collectors, with templates you can use immediately.
1. The 5-Part Description Formula
Every effective art description follows a simple structure. Here's the formula used by artists who consistently sell:
2. Copy-Paste Templates
Template 1: The Story-First Approach
This piece was born from [inspiration/story — a moment, place, or emotion]. I wanted to capture [what you were trying to express].
Created with [medium] on [surface/material], the [describe a specific technique or quality] brings [effect it creates].
Details: [size] | [framing/presentation] | [edition info if applicable]
This piece would be perfect for [type of space or person]. [Gentle call-to-action].
Template 2: The Atmosphere Approach
"[Title]" invites you into [the world/moment/feeling the piece creates]. The [describe dominant colors or forms] creates a sense of [atmosphere/emotion].
Painted with [medium], this original work features [notable technique or quality].
Specifications:
• Size: [dimensions]
• Medium: [materials]
• Presentation: [framing/mounting details]
Imagine this on your [suggested wall/room], bringing [what it adds to the space].
Template 3: The Collector's Approach
This [limited edition/original] work is part of my [series name or body of work], exploring [theme]. The piece represents [what makes it significant].
About the Work:
[Medium and technique details]. Each [print/piece] is [hand-signed/numbered/quality details].
Edition Details: [X of Y] | Certificate of authenticity included
Size: [dimensions]
Presentation: [framing/mounting]
[Closing statement about owning this piece]
3. Before & After Examples
Example 1: Landscape Painting
'Golden Hour at Mirror Lake' captures the stillness I found on an autumn evening in Vermont, when the water became so calm it doubled the sky. I wanted to preserve that feeling of peace — the kind that makes you breathe deeper just looking at it.
Painted in oils on gallery-wrapped canvas, the warm cadmium and ochre tones glow especially beautifully in natural light. Ready to hang, no framing needed.
Size: 24" × 36" | Medium: Oil on canvas | Presentation: Gallery-wrapped, ready to hang
This piece brings warmth and tranquility to living rooms, bedrooms, or any space that needs a window to somewhere peaceful."
Example 2: Abstract Art
Deep sapphire blues push against warm gold, neither winning, both necessary. This piece explores the tension and harmony between opposing forces — the push and pull that exists in all relationships, all decisions, all growth.
Created with heavy-body acrylics and palette knife work, the surface has a rich texture that catches light differently throughout the day. The thick impasto creates shadows and depth you can see from across the room.
Size: 30" × 40" × 1.5" deep
Medium: Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Edges: Painted, ready to hang without framing
A statement piece for modern spaces — above a sofa, in an entryway, anywhere that needs energy and sophistication."
Read your description aloud. Does it make you feel something? Does it create an image in your mind? If it reads like a product specification, add more sensory language and emotion. Art is about feeling — your description should be too.
4. Platform-Specific Tips
Etsy Descriptions
- Front-load keywords — Etsy's search uses the first 40 characters heavily
- Include sizing clearly — Buyers can't ask before purchasing
- Mention shipping — "Ships within 3-5 days" builds confidence
- Use bullet points for specs — Easy scanning on mobile
Your Own Website
- Tell the full story — You have space, use it
- Include your artist statement connection — How does this piece fit your larger vision?
- Add a personal note — "This is one of my favorites because..."
Gallery Submissions
- Keep it concise — 50-75 words maximum for wall labels
- Be professional — Less casual, more art-world language
- Focus on concept — Galleries care about ideas and context
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Starting with Size and Medium
"24x36, oil on canvas" tells buyers nothing about why they should care. Lead with emotion, end with specs.
❌ Being Too Vague
"This painting expresses my feelings about life" says nothing. What specific feelings? What specific aspect of life? Be concrete.
❌ Over-explaining the Obvious
"This painting of a sunset shows a sunset with orange and yellow colors." Buyers can see that. Tell them what they can't see — the story, the meaning, the feeling.
❌ Apologizing or Underselling
"It's just a simple landscape" or "I'm still learning but..." undermines your work. Be confident without being arrogant.
❌ No Call to Action
Don't leave buyers wondering what to do next. "Add to cart," "Contact me to discuss," or "See it in your space with AR preview" — give them a next step.
✍️ Generate Descriptions with AI
Upload your artwork and get professional titles, descriptions, keywords, and hashtags in seconds. Our AI understands art and writes like a gallerist.
Try Description GeneratorFrequently Asked Questions
For online sales, aim for 100-200 words. This gives enough space for emotional storytelling, technical details, and practical information without overwhelming buyers. Gallery labels are typically shorter (50-75 words).
Include: an emotional hook or story, the inspiration or meaning, medium and materials, size and framing details, and a subtle call to action. Lead with emotion, follow with facts.
For online shops (Etsy, your website), price should be visible but usually in a separate field, not in the description. For gallery submissions, typically no — pricing is handled separately.
Focus on the feeling, the process, or the concept. What emotions does it evoke? What was your intention? Describe the colors, movement, and energy. Abstract art descriptions can be more poetic and less literal.
Yes. For prints, mention the printing process, paper quality, and edition size. For originals, emphasize uniqueness, technique, and the one-of-a-kind nature of the work.