What helped you

[Wired]

I started out with GIMP and a tiny Wacom tablet, so you could say the only investments I had to make to get a start in mapping were time, effort, and around $80. By and large, GIMP will do everything for you that you need, though I've come to find Photoshop more accessible (not that I could claim any mastery of the program). There's no one particular tutorial that I could point to that gave me an "Eureka!" - moment; but most tutorials still will help you.

[Tiachren]

I found GIMP quite difficult to paint in, I use it for colour editing and final touches. If it doesn't work for you Krita (free) is also on par with photoshop but with less features. Also Inkscape (free) is a good program if you want to make vector art.The style tends to be quite clean and minimal though. Just for reference attached is an art style I have managed with Krita. No formal digital art training for this, just *A LOT* of trial and error.


Good luck and wishing you the best with your map!