@utopiaeducators Hello john. I've always used adobe photoshop, and I've tried with Krita. Krita is impressive, and I thinks is one of the best tools people can use for digital painting. Unfortunately, I've been using photoshop for a long time and it's easier for me. I think that, when you paint digitally, the most important thing to take into account for the result you want to achieve is the brush. Different brushes give you different effects. I achieved the effect I wanted a few months ago, after being painting for more that two years. And once you find the brush that you like, that's the one you will use. I use just 2 brushes in my process, no more. And I play using wet and dry function for the brushes. Choose just one software and try to develop your skills in that one.
I hope I have been helpful.