I use PSP9 with animationshop3............
You can do a basic avatar and siggy in Paint..or I guess even on any Photo programe ..its just a matter of fiddling around and getting to know how to use the different tools....
Buddy QDad is a pretty good teacher he has given me quite a few tips , I have only learnt by playing and am by no means a expert but love playing..
Good luck its addictive...