Welcome to the site
, i'm fairly new to the art myself but i'm sure this advice will help.
First thing, if you are positive that you are committed to lockpicking go ahead and order a set, unless of course you already have one. If you don't have one you can purchase an adequate set off lockpicks.com or southord.com.
DON'T get one of the sets with around 60 picks, you don't need anywhere near that many as a starter set.
Second thing, read the MIT guide front to back if you haven't. You can easily find it on a google search.
Third thing, you don't have to work the pins from back to front, as a matter of fact it would be better to feel for the binding pins and go by whatever one is binding most.
Fourth thing, since you are new to the trade i would consider purchasing a kwikset cylinder from your local hardware store. Go to the lock section and ask the guy or gal if they have any kwikset cylinders. They should have some and it will be way cheaper than purcahsing the whole lock.
This is the way i pick a kwikset pin tumbler step by step, shlages are a bit different because they have security pins.
1. Apply light torque
2. i insert my short hook pick
3. i lightly run the pick over the pins from front to back
4. i slowly push up the pin that i felt was binding most until it clicks.
5. continue feeling and popping until the lock swings open
and remember, don't use to much torque, it makes picking much harder.
By the way, it is very satisfying when you pick your first lock
Good luck!
One thing I found though was that for some reason, when I pick locks, I need a LOT less force on the tension wrench if I put them on the side with the pins, which made it easier to pick the lock.