Open Canvas is my favorite program, and from the moment I acquired it my skills skyrocketed just from the great filters for lighting and swirls, as well as the very large pallet of colors provided, no more having to figure out the shade I want on a color wheel. It is very much like Photoshop, the only thing I have found different is that OC doesn't have the brushes that PS does, meaning that an artist really has to draw everything for her/his picture.