I also think it's good to learn official script first. I started to learn from Cao Quanbei, an official script. Lishu has round strokes, delicate fonts, easy to use and relatively complete inscriptions. After practicing official script, it will be very simple. After practicing official script for 4 years, I can write official script directly, but the words are too complicated to keep up. To tell the truth, if you don't want to carve, you don't have to be very proficient in seal script.
Then I'm learning running script. I studied Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Sacred Education first, and then Wei Bei's Zhang Hei Nv. These two stickers are both classic.
You should choose a long-side wool brush. There should be many brands. China ink Huashan will do. When I first started practicing calligraphy, I used newspapers. Newspapers can absorb water and save money. I practiced with rice paper and didn't start.