To find the "Paint" program that comes with Windows, go to start/accessories/Paint

Once you have the Windows "Paint" program open, before you start

drawing anything, uncheck "Draw Opaque"

Every drawing of mine, even to this day is drawn in this basic little program. I will then often take my drawing into a program called "Paint Shop Pro". I do all my shading in "Paint Shop Pro". Corel have taken over ownership of Jasc, the company who sold Paint Shop Pro. If you would like to try a trail version of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 you can do so here.

Although I still do most of my drawing in Windows Paint, and some in PSP, I no longer use a mouse as I did in the beginning. I now use an electronic pen mouse, and I find it a wonderful drawing tool. At first it was difficult to get used to, but now I find it as easy as drawing with a pencil.

Here is my desk set up with my Wacom drawing tablet on the right. My Wacom tablet (electronic pen) is the larger size, but even the small ones work just as well. If you are really serious about drawing, it's a very useful tool to have, although in the early days, you'll still have a lot of fun creating with your little mouse. Be patient...have fun, and my best advice is practice, practice, practice!

My computer & electronic drawing tablet. Yes...I do collect bears The one sitting near my lamp, I often use for drawing bears in various positions. He is my model...he doesn't complain and usually sites very still. 

Now off you go and have fun, but be warned, drawing is very addictive!