There's all sorts of tutorials here. Duplicates of almost anything here, alot with different techniques for the same results. So if you find a tut that doesn't work for you, try another one. And I know for me, the biggest hinderance when learning is that I don't wanna do a krappy job. Don't be like me. Even if it ends up krappy, just do it. If you're learning, I say take it to the extremes.
And yeah, just DL gimp. I believe the website is gimp.org ? Photoshop costs upwards of around 300$ if I remember correctly. But gimp is free. And has the same capabilities as PS. (probly simpler to use than the newest PS, too)
Hope to see a first chop soon.
goodluck.