Start slow to get a feeling for the motions, even if it's no weight standing on your toes. Go through the whole range of motion and into a decent stretch, and keep reps lower. I never go above 8 reps on calves.
And mine always hurt like hell the first couple of sets, they feel like they're going to start cramping and are all knotted up but after a few real light warm ups and I can really get into them.
I'd also play around with foot placement, toes pointed in and toes pointed out and try to get that connection of feeling things work.
Our calves get so much work on a daily basis I think most people, myself included, have a hard time feeling things work correctly.
Almost all of my calf movements are done with a 3 sec count up, 3 hold at the top and 3 down. Forces you to control the weight. Really kills the ol’ Ego haha