A new version of Inkscape came out today. For Windows, Linux, and OS X, it's an open source vector graphics editor. Or, in short, a free attempt at Adobe Illustrator. Surprisingly poweful and totally free. The interface is ever so slightly crufty, but the results are totally professional.

ArtRage is another great package. I use it with my Wacom tablet. It's totally free, but gives you access to a range of painting tools and art tool techniques (pencils, crayons, etc), so you can produce realistic art right there on the screen. It's not quite as powerful as Painter, but for $0.00 you can't complain. Really professional (shame my drawings aren't).

What the open source and free development communities put out today puts the bigger companies to shame. They might not be quite as good, but they're able to do it in their spare time and get similar results. A bit like me with RSS/Feed Digest I guess.