Tablet or Drawing Pad? Need Honest Advice From Artists & Learners!

Hey everyone! I need your genuine suggestions. I’m planning to step into digital art seriously and I’m confused between buying:

👉 A tablet (like a Pad for drawing + education + maybe animation)
👉 Or a drawing tablet (pen tablet to connect with my laptop)

I’m a beginner in digital art, but I already draw on paper and usually do pretty well when I draw by observing images. However, I struggle when drawing purely from imagination without reference — so I definitely want to improve that.

My goals:
✨ Learn digital drawing properly first
✨ Use it for education/teaching purposes too
✨ Maybe try animation later if possible
✨ Build this as a skill even though AI art is growing fast

Honestly, I’m a bit confused — is learning digital art still worth it now? Am I choosing the right path?

Also, I’d really love to know:
💰 How are you guys earning money from digital art?
💰 Freelancing, commissions, teaching, content creation — what actually works?

If you’ve used either option or have experience, please guide me:
• Which device is better for beginners?
• What helped you improve drawing skills?
• Any tips for someone transitioning from paper to digital?

Would really appreciate your advice 🙏