I think GIMP intentionally forced upon itself different methods to Photoshop which was a possible mistake, users migrating to GIMP can find it foreign and unnatural and drop after a few uses and return to what they know. They should maybe have Winuxed it a bit more.
GIMP is as robust as Photoshop, although from scratch or transition may be harder to use? paint net is a middle ground.
https://photogimp.com/
I think GIMP intentionally forced upon itself different methods to Photoshop which was a possible mistake, users migrating to GIMP can find it foreign and unnatural and drop after a few uses and return to what they know. They should maybe have Winuxed it a bit more.