Start with your clean dry calf, on a black calf you can use color on for this example:
I start with legs. Prime time in light coats to fluff and separate working around until I have hit them all twice or more if needed. Give it time to dry. Then white touch up to the line where I have sculpted out muscle usually in a nice even coat. Let dry and analyze to see if you want more or to comb through it to break it up some. Clip as needed to correct problems/faults/previous clipping errors and move on to your black. On top of this I use flat black to cover then a light coat of black finisher for "natural" shine and on the hooves for looks. Now for tail/tailhead I use primetime usually, square the tailhead up, clip as needed for final angle, and depending on the show and judge, tease the tail slightly with prime time in it until I get it the size I want it. After this I use pink oil (walmart kind, >$2 per can) all over the body, rice root in and then blow in until most of the shine is gone. By this point the hair is as fluffed and right as it's gonna get. If I need adhesive i use light adhesive (red can i think) very very lightly for more set. The oil is already on and will cut the hold even more btw. I then use oil where they are clipped close and my hand to flatten it as I wish.
If it's a white/red/smokie calf you obviously won't ise the black but you can build a white leg pretty well with white touch up. I don't like red or smokie touch up as I have never seen it match a calf so just use adhesive.
This is somewhat incomplete so ask questions and I'm sure no one else does it my way but I like it, that's why it's my way ;D
I fit legs as heavily as anyone but I prefer a lighter coat on the body when possible as I have heard many judges mention crunchy hair and good fitting, however...when talking about a lower placed calf.