I believe a lot of people use Photoshop, but if you need to ask how much that puppy is, then you probably can't afford it! 
Another one is Paint Shop Pro but recent versions have become rather bloated with junk...
The Gimp is a very popular product, and free as well as it's open source software. Supposedly just as powerfull as Photoshop.
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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I believe a lot of people use Photoshop, but if you need to ask how much that puppy is, then you probably can't afford it!
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Photoshop Elements is affordable, and can do everything Photoshop 7 can (not Photoshop CS though, but that baby costs about as much as a small house), if you know how to use it.
Programs depends on what you intend to do, becasuse they all have their strengh and weakenesses.
Photoshop CS2
Is the image manipulation program chosen by professionals. The most powerful and probably the priciest too.
Painter IX.5
As A Mother's Love stated in another thread, this stands as the most powerful digital art program with an amazing brush engine. Can be very demanding on your PC's ressources, specially when layers start to add up and you're going nuts with that watercolour brush..
PaintShop Pro
Never used it. Or maybe once. I see it as a Photoshop wannabe. Definitely cheaper though and probably gets the job done.
Teh Gimp
No Pvc suit nor body long zipper here. The gimp is pretty handy if you're broke but has a horrible interface and even though it's free to download, it still doesn't seem too stable.
The Gimpshop
GIMPShop is a free Open Source image editor that is similar to the popular Adobe Photoshop. Specifically GIMPShop is a version of the GIMP that has been edited to be more user-friendly for Photoshop users.
Open Canvas 4/plus
Let me say this: using OpenCanvas and a tablet is like creamy sex.
>.>
<.<
....*cough*
OpenCanvas4 is a great painting and illustration software with a lot of new and improved features for not only experienced artists but also novices.
It's cheap enough but because it's made in Japan, you might find it a challenge to deal with their customer services. However, they are very friendly and will help you when necessary.
(7,800Yen is roughly 35.8£ or 52.68)
I have and used them all but Photoshop becomes the essential program I always come back to thanks to its versatilty....
ok i managed to get my parents thinking about it but i agree that if there is this brilliant thing that can do anything... but i don't want it to do anything lol, just what u guys doing? so say if i only use 20% of Photoshop or whichever one is there one that is say 50% because all of them seem to be more orientated around touching up photos than colouring them. Sorry to be asking all of the questions but it is a lot of money even more one of the less expensivve ones
hi, on the computer coloured posters you guys do you were talking about good programs to use? do you mind telling me what they are and the approximate prices? really enjoying me drawing and i find that i am doodling on peices of paper even more than i play on the computer, which, for me is like a dog not barking at cars but rather waiting to take peoples coats as they come in
any help appreciated cheers