All pen calligraphers are trained according to the brush posts. They asked the learners to write according to his words, but they didn't tell their success stories clearly.
In my understanding, whether it is a pen or a brush, if you want to write with quality, you must learn ancient posts.
If you want to learn to write, you must choose the same path as these hard-pen calligraphers. Because people nowadays can't write like the ancients, you should first attach ancient posts when you get started, which will help you master the stroke direction, starting and ending rhythm, bookshelf structure and layout of writing.
The choice of model is not unique. One is to get everyone's general recognition, and the other is to like it yourself. I suggest that you copy one or two of the epitaphs such as Zhang Hei Nv's Epitaph, Su Ci Epitaph and Ling Fei Jing, as well as the works of Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Ou Yangxun, Chu Suiliang, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan and Zhao Mengfu (Baidu pictures can be found), but you must not be fickle. Stick to it for a month or two, and there will be great changes.
Even if the ancients didn't learn the method well, they wouldn't learn the deviation.
For beginners, it is enough to look at modern people's things as a reference.
By the way, you also asked about tools. In my experience, it's not too demanding to practice calligraphy, just comfortable. Don't be picky, you spoil yourself.
The key to practicing calligraphy is not in your hands, but in your brain. It's no use drawing without thinking. Knowing how to write is right, hands will naturally obey.
The thin gold body created by Song Huizong suggested not to study directly from the beginning.