Well id say, work with a smaller canvas til lyou get the hang of it, also dont center your focal(the render), try corperating renders, with c4d's,fractals, smudge, and use filters, and if somthing dont fit just perfect dont use it, never be afraid to deleat somthign and try somthing eles, use gradiants, textures, brushes, and jsut try to do various thing in your tags , if you wanan try out gimp id be happy to tutor, if youd stick with it, i dont wanan waste my time with somone who only wants to try it and quit cuz they dotn get good fast enough.... if so add me to msn: [email]
[email protected][/email] and ill do my best and try to teach you gimp.
>.> lol the 3rd is actuly very good for a first timer!