Newbie Tips?

I’ve taken classes on programming and made a few games as well, but the problem I really have is with creating graphics and other things like that. I would like to make a game, using a turn-based rpg-like system. I learned a lot about the actual mechanics side from making a text only game, but I would like to make one that has real graphics, outside of the console. I would like to make it only in Java, as extensions are a bother for me. So, if you know a good place to start, it would be greatly appreciated!