need information ffrom you folks

[alsih2o]

i would like to purchase a sketchpad/mousey thing, where you draw with a stylus on a plastic pad and it draws on the screen, but i do not even know how to begin my hunt because i do not know what they are called.

any help or guidance would be appreciated

 

[Oni]

This is where I got my tablet from.

http://www.wacom.com/

It is a wonderful tool, though a bit pricey, and it does take some getting used to.

 

[Plane Sailing]

They are normally called "tablets", and my best experiences have been with Wacom ones. Whatever you get, make sure that it is pressure sensitive, as that is a major, major plus when using software which supports it.

I've used 12" x 12" tablets and 5"x3" tablets, and I'll always go for small ones now - it may be just a matter of drawing style, but I like being able to range over my whole monitor with wrist movements rather than arm movements.

They take a bit of getting used to at first, but once you are familiar with them it is really hard to go back to a mouse!

 

[Tsyr]

I've got an old, crappy wacom tablet... It's only one of those 99 dollar ones, and not the one they sell now, either, but the first generation of them, with only half the pressure levels... It's still a wonder. If I ever get to the point where I'm not ashamed to show my art in public (You know those cartoon shows that shoe kids fan-artwork near the end? That's my level of ability. And some of them embaress me. ), I'm gonna spring for a new one.

I also had a tablet before that from a non-wacom company... I think Cross, if I remember right...

Don't. Just don't. Unless it's some really elite brand or something, just don't bother with a non-wacom... For the money, you can't beat them.