Last week’s Art Journal Adventure prompt was “2”. I almost immediately decided to draw the Grady twins from ‘The Shining’, which probably tells you something about the workings of my brain. ‘The Shining’ is one of my favourite horror movies because I love how open to interpretation it is, how unresolved it all remains, and how unsettling it is for those very reasons. Those are precisely the same reasons why my husband loathes the movie. The Grady twins are significant in the film in terms of contributing to the disturbing atmosphere and in terms of their symbolism. I drew Danny from ‘The Shining’ for Inktober 2016 but in some ways I am surprised that I have not drawn the Grady twins in many years. Maybe I should add a whole Shining series of illustrations to my ever-growing Art To Do list.
A Pict in PA 
Oh my, these Grady Twins look great. The “Shining” is of my favorite movies. I like how you made the dark shadows around their eyes, Laura.
Thank you, Sharon. You know, they just weren’t looking right until I added those shadows. That was the key.
Suitably sinister looking! I found twins fascinating when I was young and always wanted to be one. So many books and films featuring twins, though thankfully most not as scary as The Shining.
Thanks, Anabel. One of my sisters had a phobia of identical twins which she had to overcome when one of our brothers had twin daughters.
I bet! But it’s probably easier when the twins are close to you and you see them grow up from babies.
Love the drawing! The Shining is one of my favorite movies too.
Thank you! I am glad to have the seal of approval of so many fellow fans.
The Shining. Scariest book I ever read or at least in the top ten. Love these little darlings you’ve presented here, they really are creepy. !!!
Thanks. I’ve actually never read the novel. I probably ought to but I got so immersed in the possibilities of the movie version that I worry about how I’d react to the book.
I think the book is a lot better than the movie. I read it when it first came out in 1978 or whatever, i was in college but at home, I stayed up until 3 AM to finish it and then couldn’t get to sleep.
I should probably read it some time. It might be a good summer read or maybe a travel read for when I’m staying in hotels.
Yes, it goes quickly and you’ll be glad to have someone around while you are reading….
LOVE THIS! It was always going to be a winner though, because The Shining is one of my favourite movies too… And the first time I saw it, it was the twins who scared the living bejeebus out of me! Needless to say, I’m absolutely in favour of a Shining-themed series… And I saw one of your other commenters recommending the book, which I heartily second. It’s different enough from the film that it shouldn’t affect your enjoyment of it, but some of the weirder incidental scenes from the movie will make more sense after you’ve read the book. 😀
OK. I’m definitely putting the book on my reading list. It is somewhat ridiculous that I’ve never read it.
Great job!! I’m looking forward to more of your work!! Have you illustrated any of E.A. Poe’s characters?
A long time ago now, I did draw illustrations for most of Poe’s short stories. Revisiting that theme is yet another item languishing on my long art To Do list.
I hear you – my art-to-do list keeps growing longer and longer daily! We’ll both just have to live about 200 years to get half of it done! Let’s keep it up! (and remember to eat our veggies!)
And drink cat-approved whisky.
Definitely! Cheers to you!
And thank you!
Your drawing looks so much like them! The book was so much better than the movie.
Thank you. Another vote for the book. Ok. I’m going to read it. 😀