For someone just starting out I suggest making a sandwich and just practice. I would purchase some tiger tape, size 10 betweens and here is where it gets personal your thimble.
I actually use my fingernail until I get too many holes in it :shock: . Then my next 2 choices are the Thimblepads (little round sticky backed leather dots) or the nimble thimble (has an opening in the top for your fingernail and a little steel dot for pushing.
What I did to learn was lay the tiger tape out onto my sandwich and just practiced going up and down at the black marks. You really get the feeling of it and then start forming a rhythm. Then pencil out some slight curves and work yourself from there to corners, circles, etc.
It just takes practice. It sort of for me becomes a mindless activity, get for watching tv. LOL