If you want to improve your drawing skills, practice that, if you are comfortable with your work, then move to something else like painting.
Also, good video/book tutorials can help you improve your skills.
I suggest http://www.ctrlpaint.com for video tutorials, and here is a good book name: How to draw what you see.
If you are starting, I recommend a basic Wacom tablet, like the bamboo series, for example, it’s going to be cheaper, practice a lot, then get a better one. 🙂
