In software development, there is an approach called "semantic versioning" which is basically a guideline on how to name (or rather, version) your program/application etc. based on the changes you make. Maybe this can be adapted for artists to prevent the whole this_time_really_finalversion3.png situation 😉
I am usually saving progress of drawing in separate saves, I'm naming them, for example "title_1.png", then the next "title_2.png". If I want to test something in some part of progress, but don't want it to get mixed up with the main line of artwork progress, I'm naming the branch out of that part "title_2_1.png". Only the final version, gets named "title.png", so without a number and if I want to change something in final version, then unless I forget to, I am just renaming the "title.png" to "title_3.png". I am also using thumbnails in file manager, so I don't usually do this, but in case of when I don't see and forgot what part of progress, a save contained, I am naming some saves, for example "title_before_merging_layers_2.png".
When I'm in a rush for big project, I put layers into colored folders but I don't name any of them. At least they're grouped so I have a reasonable idea what they're for to narrow it down but...
Having a judgmental friend group both helps and hinders art in so many ways. On one hand, you end up with really polished work, on the other hand, I literally have a file on my computer titled “GTEP-23-TEST/207-WIP-FINAL3” Best part is that it’s a shitpost.
That one only, that in png. For me that's not "what if it's looking better", for me that's "what if I want to come back". I never made normal backup files yet.
funny thing, if you save many files like this, it fucks up your timelapses. Idk how exactly it works but I usually have only one timelapse at the end no matter how many saves :C
some of my file names: "another mimosa thing" "shanice and minerva gonna do ur mom" "vie thing" "test thing" "Pallas but she's a cat and she's black and white" "some city" meanwhile my PSD files: "idk a drawing of v lol" "another mimosa thing" and then just straight up keyboard smashes