Lightning fan makes exceptional pencil art of Stamkos with Stanley Cup

Each year, Rebecca Thomson, a 22-year-old artist from Kirkcaldy, Scotland does a life-like pencil drawing of a player from the Stanley Cup champions.

This year, the incredibly detailed drawing is of the Steven Stamkos, captain of her favorite team the Tampa Bay Lightning, who claimed their second straight Cup last week. It took 22 hours, which she says, is on the shorter side for a piece.

"My first hockey game ever was a Lightning game on a family holiday when I was about 7 years old so I've always naturally supported them," Thomson told NHL.com.
And, while this year's drawing certainly holds a special place, it pales in comparison to last year's Victor Hedman piece, which the 2020 Conn Smythe winner saw on social media and bought for himself.

"That was the most exciting thing ever for me, honestly," she said. "After I'd posted it I got a message from the Lightning on Twitter saying Hedman had seen it and would like to buy it. When I do these drawings I never expect players to see them, never mind want to own it, so I was absolutely blown away and super grateful."
Thomson studied illustration at the University of Dundee, finishing in 2020, but found that a very different discipline than realistic portraits. She's drawn mostly hockey players, including Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. But goalies are her favorite.

"Drawing goalies really lets me put as much detail as possible in my work because of the helmets which I really enjoy," she said.
Thomson first got into hockey following her local team, the Fife Flyers, the United Kingdom's oldest team [established in 1938]. She said her grandfather has been a fan for over 50 years.
She also watches the Maple Leafs on account of her boyfriend, who is "a massive Leafs fan." As for next year's Cup drawing, is she thinking it will be the Lightning again?
"You never know," she said. "If there's a team I could imagine doing it it's Tampa, they look dangerous every year."
You can view Thomson's work on

,
Instagram
and
Etsy
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