Well, I thought this could be a useful little topic to have, since people are asking what GIMP is and where to download Brushes and the like. Before I begin I just want everyone to know that they are free to add whatever links they'd like, as long as there is use to them. Just remember to include a description of whatever it is and why it could be good.
Programs
GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/
GIMP is the most famous/infamous free graphics program out there. It can be useful if you have no money/don't want to be a criminal for Photoshop. I find it very hard to use, but TPP has made some good GIMP sig-making tutorials and Stinger's sigs are coming out nicely as well. I suppose it just takes practice. Anyway, to download this, click on the "Downloads" link on the right of the main page.
Paint.net
http://www.getpaint.net/
I've never used it, but people seem to like it. Paint.net is apparently a pretty good free image editing program. Thriller uses it and it seems to work for him, so maybe it will work for you too.
Brushes
deviantART
http://www.deviantart.com/
deviantART is a great place for brushes. Just type in "brushes" and see what pops up. Fire brushes, abstract brushes, any brushes you can imagine, they have it all. It's also a great place for stocks and images and textures. You can even use it like I do, to showcase your best works!
Brusheezy
http://www.brusheezy.com/
Brusheezy is a good place for brushes. A lot of times they take brushes from deviantART, but that's OK because sometimes you're not quite sure what to look for on deviantART. It makes looking for brushes easy and quick, and has some great sets on there. It also has a section for vectors/custom shapes, so that's useful too.
Renders
PSD-Dreams (Registration Required)
http://psd-dreams.de/home.php
THE best render site, hands down. An absolutely essential site for a graphic maker. PSD Dreams offers tons and tons of pre-cut images that are well-organized. anything from models to wrestling to TV shows to logos can be found here. Bookmark it.
Planet Renders (Registration Required)
http://planetrenders.net/renders/index.php
While Planet Renders may not be as well-organized as PSD-Dreams, it has some great things to offer, especially because it offers C4Ds and Fractals, which are great for adding effects to sigs, or for making backgrounds. While this site isn't as essential as PSD Dreams, it has some great renders not found on the other site. However, the search box is your friend.
Tutorials
SigTutorials.com
http://www.sigtutorials.com/
An extremely useful site that made me take the next step as a graphic artist. It contains GREAT techniques, resources, and tutorials that you can use for your graphics. Definitely read all tutorials here.
This should be a good start, now let's hear some more!
Programs
GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/
GIMP is the most famous/infamous free graphics program out there. It can be useful if you have no money/don't want to be a criminal for Photoshop. I find it very hard to use, but TPP has made some good GIMP sig-making tutorials and Stinger's sigs are coming out nicely as well. I suppose it just takes practice. Anyway, to download this, click on the "Downloads" link on the right of the main page.
Paint.net
http://www.getpaint.net/
I've never used it, but people seem to like it. Paint.net is apparently a pretty good free image editing program. Thriller uses it and it seems to work for him, so maybe it will work for you too.
Brushes
deviantART
http://www.deviantart.com/
deviantART is a great place for brushes. Just type in "brushes" and see what pops up. Fire brushes, abstract brushes, any brushes you can imagine, they have it all. It's also a great place for stocks and images and textures. You can even use it like I do, to showcase your best works!
Brusheezy
http://www.brusheezy.com/
Brusheezy is a good place for brushes. A lot of times they take brushes from deviantART, but that's OK because sometimes you're not quite sure what to look for on deviantART. It makes looking for brushes easy and quick, and has some great sets on there. It also has a section for vectors/custom shapes, so that's useful too.
Renders
PSD-Dreams (Registration Required)
http://psd-dreams.de/home.php
THE best render site, hands down. An absolutely essential site for a graphic maker. PSD Dreams offers tons and tons of pre-cut images that are well-organized. anything from models to wrestling to TV shows to logos can be found here. Bookmark it.
Planet Renders (Registration Required)
http://planetrenders.net/renders/index.php
While Planet Renders may not be as well-organized as PSD-Dreams, it has some great things to offer, especially because it offers C4Ds and Fractals, which are great for adding effects to sigs, or for making backgrounds. While this site isn't as essential as PSD Dreams, it has some great renders not found on the other site. However, the search box is your friend.
Tutorials
SigTutorials.com
http://www.sigtutorials.com/
An extremely useful site that made me take the next step as a graphic artist. It contains GREAT techniques, resources, and tutorials that you can use for your graphics. Definitely read all tutorials here.
This should be a good start, now let's hear some more!
!