Well.. you might want to check out The Gimp.. its free and has many photoshop features. Also, I really like Xnview deluxe... not free... but feature packed photo touchup, etc. Of course.. PSP is the bomb for paiting and photo manip.. and scrapbooking.

For font creation.. you need specialized tools.. try fontifier, or font creator..

animated gif... type gif animator or anigif.


Good luck.