Painting Dolls, err Miniatures

So lately I have been reading the Horus Heresy novels, set in GW's Warhammer 40k universe. To me it's pulp fiction I can read to relax and rest my wearied brain (I highly reccomend the Ciaphas Cain novels as well as the Gotrek and Felix novels).

It is given me the itch to do some painting of miniatures (which my wife likes to refer to as dolls) and make a diorama for a friend of mine's store. My daughter and I picked up some Grey Knights and Chaos Marines back in December and they have set idle in my closet since. At one point around New Year's I opened the Grey Knights box and realized, "oh crap that's a lot of bits, this will be a lot tougher than the minis I am used to."

I have not painted any 40k minis in close to 20 years, and boy have their models come a long way since then. What used to be 4-5 pieces, now seems like a dozen, with lots of options. I have painted Blood Bowl and Battletech minis in the past few years. I do not consider myself an expert or worthy of any Golden Daemon Awards, but it is something I enjoy. And I have a lot of minis accumulated in my closet and garage.

Last night, I finally decided I was up to the task. The house is relatively clean, other projects are done or on hold and it was time for some relief. As soon as I cracked the box and pulled out the paints, my 2 year old decided she wanted to help. With her "help" I was able to get only two minis together, but at least I am started.

Hopefully, next week I can put some pictures together.