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 means that on that date I checked every fact, rule and link against its primary source. Reviewed means that I re-read and updated the text without repeating that full check. When only Updated appears, the date corresponds to the last edit.
The guides offer general information. They do not constitute individualised legal, tax or professional advice: for a specific case, consult a qualified professional.
Total: 145
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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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.
27 guides
Selling a painting is not selling its rights
Why buying a work does not transfer its exploitation rights, what the law allows the owner of the copy to do and what a contract should specify when the artist authorises a use.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- copyright
- art market
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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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Buying digital art: files, rights, certificates and preservation
Qué puede recibir quien compra una obra digital: archivos, soporte, acceso, certificado, mantenimiento y licencia, con o sin token.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- digital art
- art collecting
- copyright
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Catalogue raisonné: what it is and how to start your own
An explanation of what a catalogue raisonné entails, its distinction from the authentication of a work, the methodology for commencing your own, and the policies required for the receipt and examination of works.
Verified on 20 October 2026
- archivo
- catalogación
- art collecting
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Commissioning an artwork
Commissioning an artwork, or accepting a commission, works best with a written agreement. What it should say about the work, deadlines, price, changes and rights.
Verified on 1 October 2026
- art collecting
- copyright
- artwork documentation
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How OBJKT works: publishing, buying and preserving digital art on Tezos
What happens when a work is tokenised on OBJKT, what the buyer receives, how editions and royalties work and what you need to keep outside the platform.
Reviewed on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- digital infrastructure
- art market
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Authorship and works made with AI under Spanish law
What Spanish law says about the authorship of works made with AI, where the line of human contribution lies and what to document in practice.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- generative AI
- ontology of art
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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.