Can anyone recommend a program (preferably free) to make art like for album covers? I've got a scanner and a macbook and want something easy to cut around pictures and make collages or whatever. just wondering what you guys have been using for your stuff, i'm a beginner...

actually i guess i could just make it on a piece of paper and scan that hehe nevermind sorry

I think GIMP is good, and it's free.

photoshop (pirate version )

BUMP^

I just use Microsoft Paint. Its dope but takes practice and skill. I've even managed to do some choppy animation with it.

you can download photoshop for a free trail, 30 days from their website and make the cover in 30 days using the scanner to scan something, then color it. but the scan in a drawing suggestion isnt a bad one, alot of covers are just that, my buddies t-shirt company is just that. gets some markers and color pencils, draw it up, sharpie it up, scan it in, color correct it, adjust the levels and all that jazz. it would be raw like a lo-fi beat. or take a good ass photo, make it black and white and scan it in a high resolution. lots of options.

Doing an album cover by hand is legit, and awesome.

photoshop. it is the mpc of computer graphicing. there is no other way.

crayons...

thanks errbody, time to try these out.

Photoshop. but you just use the free trial for the 1st month or if u wanna pirate lol

ARRRRRRRRRRGH, me mateys.

inkscape is a great(free) program, i use that and photoshop together. gimp is free but a pain in the a$$