I would suggest as a beginning to use a light source that is continuous that will photograph as you see it. In the old days when I began over 50 years ago, that choice was high output tungsten. Those lights were hot and heavy and used a lot of power. But with digital cameras today a better choice are the CCFL fluorescent sources that are more efficient, lighter weight and actually as available configurations produce softer more flattering illumination for portraiture and many kinds of still life.

If there is any secret to learning lighting it is to begin to see how light illuminates subjects by training your perception with the experience of controlling how the light illuminates a subject. Most people who are not photographers take light pretty much for granted and do not pay very much attention to separating the subject and the light falling on it which illuminates our vision. To become more aware of light is the first step in gaining control of it and its affect on a photograph.

Thanks so much for the info. I will start working on the lights today.