[max_thehitman]

Here is a friendly tip.
Personally I use Photoshop, nothing else comes closer to it, its simply the best, but Gimp is a
very good start.

See these videos and enjoy a new hobby...

il2 1946 Skinning With Gimp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZFLgtPa16w

for using Photoshop...
Lesson 1: Getting Started - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=091RJs4n ... re=related
Lesson 2: Basic Painting - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSfNWD0W ... re=related
Lesson 3: Weathering - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0i25VAj ... re=related
Lesson 4: How to apply Decals - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL7ipa51 ... re=related

... more tutorials on the same Youtube channel