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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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.
28 guides
Cultural association or foundation: which form to choose and how to incorporate
What distinguishes an association from a cultural foundation: endowment, governance, registration, protectorate, tax regime, and annual obligations.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- cultural policy
- cultural work
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Paid open calls and vanity galleries: how to identify them
How to distinguish a vanity gallery from a commercial one, when an entry fee is reasonable, and what to review before paying to exhibit.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- art market
- cultural work
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Artistic awards and grants under Personal Income Tax: when they are exempt
Which artistic awards are exempt from Personal Income Tax, who requests the exemption, why an acquisition award is almost never exempt, and how much is withheld.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- cultural work
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Registering as an artist with the tax authorities: group 861 and form 036
Which IAE classification corresponds to most visual artists, how to submit form 036, and when Social Security becomes involved.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- cultural work
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Manga competitions and portfolio reviews in Spain: conditions and rights assigned (2026)
Three 2026 manga open calls with vastly different conditions: a portfolio review with KADOKAWA editors accepting applications until 20 November, a FICOMIC competition…
Verified on 30 October 2026
- comics and self-publishing
- copyright
- minors
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Selling your drawings as a minor: what the law says and what remains unclear
If you are under 18 and want to sell your drawings, the law, Social Security, the tax authority and the platforms each have different rules. What I have been able to confirm, what is not…
Verified on 30 October 2026
- young creators
- minors
- cultural work
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Creating a comic or fanzine with others: co-authorship, distribution, and agreement
Cuando un cómic o un fanzine lo hacen un guionista, una dibujante y quien rotula, hay que decidir quién es autor de qué, cómo se reparten gastos e ingresos y…
Verified on 30 October 2026
- comics and self-publishing
- copyright
- cultural work
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How to prepare an artist dossier or portfolio
Qué incluir en un dossier o portafolio de artista, cómo partir del inventario, ordenar la selección de obra y mantener una versión para cada destinatario.
Verified on 30 October 2026
- cultural work
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How to make a small catalogue: legal deposit and ISBN
How to plan and publish a small catalogue, distinguish between legal deposit and ISBN, and verify which procedures are required before printing.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- copyright
- regulations
- cultural work
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How to prepare a file for printing
How to deliver a controlled file for print: PDF/X format, size, bleed, images, colour, fonts, finishes and proofing.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- digital infrastructure
- cultural work
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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.