What is the best free downloadable art programme to use?

[Revan]

MSPaint is so lame, it makes my backgrounds look like they where drawn by a 3 year-old... I've looked trough the forums to find that ArtGem was my best bet... only to find that it has been discontinued (Just my luck)... You know of any other good FREE art programs... thanks

[strazer]

Check the sticky thread in the Critics Lounge.