Advice on newbie tool selection

[thekctermite]

I'm wanting to get started in relief carving and am hoping for a little guidance from you all. I'd like to learn to carve leaves (oak, grape, acanthus, etc.) at a scale of about half of life-size, or thereabouts. I am new to woodcarving and have yet to purchase any tools.

I like the feel of the shorter palm-type tools. Not being someone that buys "starter" tools, I intend to buy good quality stuff (leaning toward Pfiel). But, I can't go out and drop hundreds of dollars on eight or ten tools right off. Gotta start with two or three and build my collection slowly. And of course a strop setup of some sort to keep them sharp.

Therein lies my question....
What tools should be my first tools to get started in relief carving of leaves? I presume a gouge is in order for establishing the depth/relief around the perimeter as well as giving the leaves contour/curl and depth. How about a knife? Or a v-tool? If you had to give up all but three or four of your tools that you use for relief carving what would they be?

Sorry for the know-nothing newbie question. I'll take any and all advice I can get. I am going to be spending a little time with the members of a local carving club to gain a little more exposure to the basics, but I don't want to go in without any tools at all!

Thank you,
Aaron

[Robson Valley]

This is exactly how I began: lessons from a professional relief carver.
Tools (all Pfeil)
1/8 double bevel carver's chisel for stop cuts
8/7 gouge for hogging out wood
3F8 for flatter shaping
12/8 V tool that I almost never use any more "in the round" but for cutting veins in leaves = good.
Kit
12-14oz Shop Fox mallet.
wood-backed leather strop with green compound for honing
sheet of non-slide rubber foam mesh to keep carving from sliding around.

I spout off a lot here about sharpening and honing angles to keep expensive tools working that way. Pfeil are 20 degrees. Search past threads or PM and I will help.

Patterns = English texts will be the very best for this.
Wood Carving. W. Wheeler & C. H. Hayward 1979
ISBN 0-8069-8790-1

[thekctermite]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'll dig into the catalogs and your info definitely gives me a starting point!
Aaron