Putty any holes.
Sand.
Prime with tinted primer (same type as paint: latex primer if using latex paint, oil primer if using oil based paint). Let dry.
Sand.
(optional, but recommended) Prime and sand again.
Paint thin first coat (recomend roller or spray) (oil based enamel or latex enamel are "tough" paints, heard acrylics are good too). Let dry.
Sand.
Paint next coat. (Number coats depends on the paint you use. I needed three coats.) Dry. Sand.
Repeat as needed. (if you want a texture, don't sand as hard and use finer sanding paper).
You can add a couple coats of clear paint at the end, if you want.
Sanding paper: I'd start with 150-200 for bare wood & primer coats, 180-300 for the under coats. 300 or finer for the final and clear coats (or don't sand these at all if you don't want to/feel lazy

.)
I'm not a good painter, so grain of salt and all.
