I wrote a long series of sci fi novels called Terrah, 10 books in total. The heroine is a space fighter pilot. Though I take great pride in my work and the reception it got for its detailed descriptions, the one thing I lament every waking hour is having not included such a scene. This is what a beautiful, gorgeous, young creature should look like. Gentle in the embrace of murderous high end military technology.
Actually, I make my own. You are welcome to see their prototypes on my page in the gallery. As well as some concept art that I orient by during the writing process.
I use photoshop and a wacom graphic tablet. other than that, nothing too fancy. I mostly use tools that are in MS Paint. started out on MS Paint and I think that's still a great and underrated program.
You are so right, Luke. I use Office Paint for most of my stuff. I just assumed; but you know--I think much more highly of you, now that you've said that. [: Nice art, man.