You get to practice the patience, which is one of the hardest luthiery skills to master ;-) (I have not mastered it, that's for sure). Your Dad has done some really impressive paint jobs. Even though you are just starting out, having great equipment and a master to learn from will pay off, I am sure.

I started off with an ES too, before working on a strat body. That's definitely the hard way. There is something to be said for honing your skills on the easier project before going to the hard one. Sound's like a good strategy.