learn oil painting

I’ve bought everything I need. I just can’t seem to get started. I think I’m intimidated by the medium. It “sounds” difficult to master. I can do quite well with crayons, as long as I work somewhat large, but I have never so much as squeezed an oil paint tube, much less ever done anything with the contents. I think I’m afraid that I’ll try it, and suck at it. I’m no good at failure. ;) But I am determined to learn. So, I hope to be able to pop on here in a weeks time and tell you I’ve begun some sort of artwork.

My goal is to paint portraits, since that is what I primarily draw, but I may have to do easier things like still-lifes and landscapes before I delve into things like skin tones and hair.