I don’t know of any beginner graphics books, but i have’t looked. Check their web site.
For a first language I would very seriously recommend learning Python. It is pretty easy and teaches good habits. C is not a good place to start!
You will have to write about 2000 lines of code (with someone good looking over your shoulder) before you will start to feel like you know what you are doing. Maybe more.
If you are going to learn to program you really want a mentor who can point you in good directions and can tell you when you are doing things stupidly.