Graphics Software Talk ...

GIMP would be a very good choice. I started on paint dot net and moved to GIMP before PS it is more complex than PDN but worth the effort. Tutor4u does good tuts.

Gimp is good and yes plenty of youtube tutorials I believe the stable version is still 2.8.10 the newer one last I checked still had the missing icons issue ?
I do find it best to use one and learn it even if it hurts CorelPaint anyone

I think Corel Painter is more directed at digital painting. I believe there is a Lite version which is quite cheap.

Yea I'm getting used to cp it just has a good learning curve also like paint.net not allot of tutorials around

I see the plans now cc6 hasn't changed they just added some other plans
https://creative.adobe.com/plans
Single app is still outrageous though

The only change seems to be the CS upgrade offer.

Yep,
I really don't see how they justify 20 for a single app :/
Even if you have photographer plan at 10 ?

They do it because they can.

I suppose your correct
I guess it's all small potato's if it's business.
Out of my league I would of liked to check out illustrator but no way for 20
Another 10 if I was insane that day :)

My thoughts too. I have used the CS2 version of Illustrator but don't really get on with it.