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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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.
35 guides
How to commission graphic design for an art project
Cómo definir un encargo de diseño gráfico: alcance, materiales, calendario, revisiones, presupuesto, derechos, créditos y archivos finales.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- copyright
- cultural work
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Font licences: what you can do with a font
Cómo leer una licencia tipográfica y distinguir escritorio, web, aplicación, servidor, documentos, modificación y entrega a terceros.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- copyright
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Software licences and artistic works: what each licence covers
Cómo separar la licencia del código, las dependencias, los recursos artísticos, la documentación y las salidas de una obra hecha con software.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- digital art
- copyright
- 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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Quotation and illustration for teaching: what Article 32 allows
The provisions of articles 32 and 39 of the Intellectual Property Act: quotation, teaching illustration, and parody, and the common points of failure in their application.
Reviewed on 20 October 2026
- copyright
- docencia
- research
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Murals and street art: permits, rights and what happens if they are painted over
Pintar un mural exige autorización sobre el soporte y puede requerir trámites municipales o patrimoniales. El contrato debe prever duración, mantenimiento, documentación y eventual borrado.
Verified on 19 October 2026
- copyright
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Freedom of panorama: which works you can photograph and publish
En España pueden fotografiarse y publicarse obras situadas permanentemente en calles, plazas y parques. El interior de un museo y las instalaciones temporales quedan fuera de esta excepción.
Verified on 19 October 2026
- copyright
- photography
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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 request a licence and a quote from VEGAP
If the author of a work is in VEGAP’s repertoire, that is where you ask for permission to reproduce it. What information to prepare, how to read the quote and what to do if there is no agreement.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- copyright
- cultural policy
- cultural work
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How to read an image licence and credit it
A museum offering an image for download does not mean you can use it for anything. How to read the rights statement of each file and how to credit it properly.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- copyright
- artwork documentation
- research
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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.