What's the best Illustration Software for a beginner with 0 drawing experience?

I'm trying to get started designing ';paper goods'; for baby showers and expecting moms (ie: shower invited, announcements, favors) and I have no experience with drawing. Is it possible to find a basic illustration software that will help me create my own ';characters'; or artwork ? or should I stick with stock photos?





Thanks!What's the best Illustration Software for a beginner with 0 drawing experience?
you should have a preloaded program on your computer called ';paint';


(its in the programs/accessories on start bar).





Make basic shapes, insert type and even insert some drawings,( not photo's), art from saved files, simple stuff but a good way to learn tool bars, effects etc. for freeWhat's the best Illustration Software for a beginner with 0 drawing experience?
I think a pencil would be the best way to start. Trying to illustrate with software that you don't know how to use is like trying to tie your shoes with boxing gloves on.





If you can get something going with a pencil, sketch some stuff out, THEN you can start thinking about copying it on the computer.
showers, invitations, announcements..





dear mrs,


depending on your computer itself, properties , and being able to run software by system requirements may be needed,





correct as previously suggested, to start with ideas on paper,


even scan them into computer to edit for templates, or backgrounds, if you have a new camera/ printer may have come with some software, to edit images...





some freeware is available for photo editing,


http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/gmm/fw…


like photobie. photofilter, and gimp,


for illustration try inkscape


http://www.inkscape.org/


also note that in msword or wordperfect..., some have templates for this, other...


http://www.surfpack.com/downloads/Serif-…


..
I honestly think that you shouldn't start with software. Even the best software, Illustrator, is not nearly as effective as pencil, pen, chalks. Learn to draw in the material world first, then the limitations that exist in the software won't make your artwork mechanical.





Really, I mean this. Drawing on paper is still the best way to learn.





But after that, try Illustrator, or Corel draw. Illustrator is the professional standard, Corel is more affordable.
Every computer, a pc that is, should have a good illustrator program that has an interface with every part exposed and not layers and layers of intimidating modules and tools. I used to swear by MACs and have received used, from generous friends, but when it came time to buy a computer, I chose a pc because of one program.





Corel-release XARA, from 1998, is still very similiar to the latest version, XARA Xtreme. In just six months, I re-applied the old school illustration training from decades, to my mouse and mousepad. I really recommend as you progress to get a drawing tablet by INTOUS.





http://www.xaraxtreme.com





Here is my FLICKr photo album that has my near six month journey in sequence from drawing one to most recent.





http://flickr.com/photos/bluedecker97vx/…





I also include a link to a Flickr group, dedicated to XARA, so you see others details and styles far advancing mine.





http://flickr.com/groups/xara_users/





Happy New :Year and if you choose XARA, join FLICKr XARA group and say HI.