I used David Trevallion's articles for guidance, starting with a Crescent, and a straight grained piece of walnut.
All that blacking is part of the fun.
Learning which tool can do what for you is part of the rest.

I could never be as aggressive with a gouge as a bench pro at Purdey's. They hog some stock. Absolutely merciless.

Out there doing it best I can.