As gster stated...

If your new to Maya, i would avoid the skinning/Painting Weights topic for a longtime and get to grips with modelling first. Once thats done and your happy with that, move on to creating rigs and getting them to move properly. Only onc e you are happy working woth these two subjects should you move onto skinning and binding

Modelling good geometry is the key to getting good skinning and then good animation from that. Painting Weights (skinning) is a very hefty, long and boring process and really should be looked at once you are happy with modelling geometry for characters first.

Please do not take this as a negative thing. Just be aware that the subject is very boring, long and time consuming and that there are certain pre-requesits that should be covered first.