Banner & Headers

I am having much difficulty trying to install a banner for my entire site as well as headers for individual sections.

I have tried:
Creating node as blocks: I created a banner content type, created content and uploaded the image, checked that it was available as a block, and moved the block to the banner region. The title of the block shows, but no image. I can see the image when creating the content during preview and that is all.

Uploading file to the site: I uploaded the banner to the pictures folder in the files directory, created a block, tried to insert the picture using this address http://sitename.com/ sites/default/files/pictures/banner.jpg, and nothing happens. Again I see the title of the block but no picture.

What is an easy way to do this and to get it to show?

Thanks in advance.