Help On How To Produce Artwork

Wondering if any one from the forum can offer some advice.

I am thinking about learning how to use a computer programme to produce my own colour side view profiles of aircraft & historic racing cars.

Can any of the established advise me on how I would get started in this field.

Some have suggested Corel Draw or Illustrator as the programmes I would need. But additionally what other progarammes are out there and what computer equipment would I need ?

Lastly can you teach youself to do this kind of thing or am I aiming for something a little complex to self teach ?