Beginning graphics

I want to begin programming 2d graphics. The only graphics I've ever dabbled in were java applets (which barely count). I've practiced java for a year and a half, but I know enough c++ to get by.

My question: How does one go about getting into programming 2d graphics?

>>5
Redditard

>>10,12
You use OpenGL for your 2D. There's a way to make it pixel-perfect, by using glOrtho. I did some of this shit pretty successfully in the FIOC; gave me 2D RGBA sprites, smooth as my girlfriend's vagina animation, subpixel precision when I wanted it, fine rotations, fine X-Y scaling, bilinear filtering, transparency and simple vector drawing.

Python has several small modules oriented towards using OpenGL for 2D; I picked one and simplified and optimized it for my purposes. I did add display lists to it, for efficiency.