The guides are practical texts for anyone who works with art: how to document an artwork, what to review before signing with a gallery, when an artwork ceases to be protected. They differ from the articles in the Public Notebook in their function. The Notebook analyses and interprets; the guides explain how to do something and which rules, data or documents each step relies on. That is why they are updated when what underpins them changes, and each one shows the date it was last checked.
Verified indicates that on that date, I checked every fact, rule and link against its primary source. Reviewed indicates that I re-read and updated the text without repeating that full verification. When only Updated appears, the date corresponds to the most recent edit.
The guides offer general information. They do not constitute individualised legal, tax or professional advice: for a specific case, consult a qualified professional.
Featured resource
Master artwork record
An open-format template for keeping a consistent inventory of your work from the studio onwards. The ODS workbook brings together four sheets: master record, restricted data, gallery deposit and key. It includes validations, filters, frozen headers and an example row.
The gallery deposit sheet fills in the title automatically from the inventory number. It is a record of the works delivered, not a contract. Terms of custody, insurance, sale, commission and return must be agreed separately.
The restricted data sheet contains personal, financial and location information. It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.
The ODS is the main resource. The CSV files let you import the master record, the restricted data and the gallery deposit record separately.
The guides are currently searched and indexed in Spanish.
7 guides
Resale right: what an artist receives when their work is resold
When an artist is paid for the resale of their work in Spain, how it is calculated in bands, who pays and why this right cannot be waived.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- art market
- cultural work
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Catalogue raisonné: what it is and how to start your own
What a catalogue raisonné is, why it carries so much weight in the market, how it differs from authenticating a work and how to start your own from the studio.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- art market
- recognition
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Technical data sheet, certificate and invoice: what each document does
What the technical data sheet, the certificate of authenticity and the invoice each do when a work leaves the studio, and how to keep them consistent.
Reviewed on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- art market
- cultural work
Includes a downloadable resource
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How to work with a gallery: consignment, purchase and representation
What to settle in writing when working with a gallery: consignment, direct purchase, exhibition, representation, price, settlement, exclusivity, insurance and exit.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art market
- cultural work
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How to price an artwork
Criteria for pricing a work without universal formulas: real cost, a consistent scale, comparables, channels, discounts and taxes.
Reviewed on 27 September 2026
- art market
- cultural work
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How to invoice the sale of artwork in Spain: VAT and withholding tax
Which VAT applies when selling art in Spain, when personal income tax is withheld, what changes if a gallery is involved and what the invoice must include.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art market
- cultural work
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How to document the provenance of your own work: a guide for artists
A system for recording, from the studio, the history, documents and movements of each piece.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art market
- recognition
- cultural work
Includes a downloadable resource
Read the guide:Read the guide
Corrections and contributions
If you find an error, outdated information or a better source, please write to me via the contact page. I correct confirmed errors and update the date of the affected guide.