GFX Editing Software.

[ⓢⓤⓕⓕⓘⓒⓔ]

I want to start making my own backgrounds/making avatars/ and signatures.

What would you recommend; can you also please provide a download link?

Any specific tutorials that I should learn first, or is Google my friend in this situation?

[Orgasmic]

Photoshop CS5. Want the download?
Google is your friend.

[ⓢⓤⓕⓕⓘⓒⓔ]

Photoshop CS5. Want the download?
Google is your friend.

Yes please I would greatly appreciate it.
Any tips or a tad of advice you have for me would also be greatly appreciated.

[Fragma]

For tips & advice, just have a read through the graphics section here, there are plenty of tutorials, guides, tips, & other resources you can use.

[z3r0c00l]

I used GIMP but now I use Photoshop CS5 for a long time now!

[Amazing]

Photoshop is great if you can get it.

If not, I'd definitely recommend giving GIMP a try.