How do authors make graphics?

[VincentSDSH]

I generally use Fireworks (formerly of Macromedia, now owned by Adobe) and more rarely Photoshop (which has a much wider selection of plug ins), though GIMP is a far cheaper alternative but "create their graphics" is kind of open to interpretation -- anywhere from making sure the .png file is sized to ^2 for .blp conversion to 'Picasso meets Bob Ross'