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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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.
58 guides
How to make a digital or interactive artwork accessible
Cómo revisar barreras visuales, auditivas, motrices, cognitivas y sensoriales en una obra digital o interactiva sin confundir obra, web y centro cultural.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- accessibility
- digital art
- disability
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How to prepare creative code so that it can run again
What to preserve and document to ensure the code of a creative work remains executable: source and history, dependencies, external services, packaged environment, and reinstallation testing.
Verified on 17 October 2026
- digital art
- code
- conservation
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What to document in a generative work
What to document in a generative work: system, outputs, seed, parameters, what may vary and who decides, and a video of its behaviour.
Verified on 17 October 2026
- digital art
- generative art
- artwork documentation
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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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How to write installation instructions for a technology-based artwork
Cómo redactar un manual para montar, configurar, probar, operar y desmontar una obra tecnológica sin depender de la memoria del artista.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- digital art
- conservation
- artwork documentation
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Settling taxes with works of art: how payment in kind functions
Certain tax debts may be settled through the surrender of assets belonging to the Historical Heritage. Which assets and taxes the law permits, how to apply and who makes the decision.
Reviewed on 20 October 2026
- collections
- taxation
- heritage
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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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An artist's archive and legacy
What happens to your works, your archive, your rights and your digital content when you are no longer here, and what you can decide now so that your legacy does not depend on chance.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- artist archive
- copyright
- artwork documentation
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How to photograph your work for a dossier and catalogue: documentation and presentation
How to document and present a work through photography: usage matrix, lighting, colour, sculpture, installation and technological work, condition, file naming, rights, and delivery.
Verified on 17 October 2026
- documentation
- dossier
- photography
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Preserving a digital artwork
Qué conservar de una obra digital y cómo ordenarlo: separar archivo fuente, máster y copia de exhibición, organizar carpetas, nombrar y versionar archivos, comprobar la integridad y mantener copias independientes.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- artist archive
- artwork documentation
- digital infrastructure
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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.