flash?
its actually not all that hard to do animations in flash, just patiance....and a graphics tablet helps
(Stuck Fiddling Elfroid How Long Have We Had These?, Sat 16 Oct 2004, 23:31, archived)

yes, graphics tablet
is it worth only getting a 4 x 5 inch
( Double 2 plums, Sat 16 Oct 2004, 23:32, archived)