A simple procedure for producing professional quality composite images;- * Goodsearch...image...search * Get the GIMP. Like MSPaint, it's free. Unlike MSPaint, it doesn't suck. * Get a graphics tablet. 6"x9" tablets go for $100 and up. You wouldn't write a novel with a mouse, why would you draw a picture with one? A hundred bucks will save you hours of fighting poor ergonomics (mouse bad, pen good). Your wrist and fingers will thank you. * Use the highest-res source images that you can find. A 1000x1000 image eats RAM, but the end result will be superior to the same 'chop with 200x200 pixel source images. * Increase the size of your picture to 400% while working on it (if high-res source images aren't available). * Save often. Or, to put it another way, save often.