GIMP and PAINT.NET are free but most artists around these parts use Adobe Photoshop, its really not that hard to torrent it..and it comes out totally free too
Just a test in photoshop lol, --------------------------> ^
Never explain. Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe it anyway. ~Elbert Hubbard
Paint Shop Pro wasn't that bad either, although I haven't used it in a looong while - cause I'm a Photoshop-aholic bitch - but I remember it, from my noob days (that stretched to this very day..:P)