How do you make a spright set?

well i have a big game comin out soon and i was wonderin how to make a sprite set. I need to make a shade preferbly 1 liek durza in the eragon movie. ty

Well, you have your choice:

1) Take a template and edit pixel by pixel.
2) Use this: http://www.backwater-productions.net/RMXP_CSG/
3) Take a template and franken-sprite. Take parts from other sprites you like and       
    stick them on.

Most people start with a base and then just use pieces from other sprites. It can all be done without re-sizing or drawing anything yourself  . Microsoft Paint works,but I recommend Paint.Net. Its freeware.

ty master moo but i do have to say u pic is realy stupid lol

Ok two more suggestion:
1.Get GraphicsGale.
2.Visit this spriting tutorial Spriting Tutorial

P.S Graphics Gale is free , (get the shareware edition)