If you have a bamboo tablet, register it on the Wacom site. Most of them come with a complementary copy of ArtRage Studio, so you should be able to get it from their download section after you resister. That's what I use. I also recommend Gimp as a free alternative, though it is quirky and takes getting used to. For vector graphics, a free solution is Inkscape.

Oh! Ill look into registering it! It might already be registered, iunno. I had forgotten about gimp! I might look into that as well!

How's the interface with artrage? I know photoshop is overwhelming

Dude!

Firealpaca! It's free, and I use it occasionally as well as Fink and Kalida OuO

http://firealpaca.com/en

Oh snap!!! Ill look into that one first! I know all of you three do tons of digital legitamystifing beautifuls, so That sounds like a pretty strong start in the right direction lol.

It's simplified, but useful. Similar to SAI

Everyone seems to like SAI. :)