Only just Downloaded GIMP and utterly hopeless. BASIC basics turoial?

it took me 2 weeks to partially master PDN (Paint.Net). i wanted to try a more sophisticated program, so i downloaded GIMP. now i am utterly lost in it. i need a link to a totally BASIC basic tutorial - one w/ recognizable names/procedures. one that i can understand. what i really need to learn is how to creat shadow effects, e.g. a face in the dark w/ a lamp overhead - how 2 create the shadow, nd stuff - and also how to use the brushes proffesionally 4 a nice pro effect..