You're in the right place, we all do the same thing to some degree (some more some less) when it comes to creating maps and worlds and what not. Here's what you need to get started...a free program called GIMP. It's like Photoshop but has it's own quirks and does some things better and some things worse...but that's natural. I would recommend a tablet for drawing naturally but it is not necessary, just a perk. If you have Christmas money to spend then I'd suggest looking through the Software Discussion thread and see what grabs your eye and I would also suggest looking through the Finished Maps section to what sort of style grabs you then check to see what was used to make it. Howdy and welcome.