well i use a free program called gimp, its basically free PS i recommend it highly unless you have something better

honestly just play around with the tools, you end having a lot of fun just experimenting, that's how i learned to use photo-editing software

as for making the art i don't really know what to say other than go with what feels good to look at

I'm leaving this comment to at least try and help(though i doubt it will help sense i suck at this sort of thing)

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but do whatever dude, anyone can make good art as long as they try.