14-year-old girl draws amazing portraits of Sharks players

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The San Jose Sharks have been out of town so long, we hardly remember what they look like. Sixteen of their first 21 games are on the road, but I've met a young woman who can give you every detail of these players' faces.

Fan adulation can manifest itself in several different forms: you have your basic fan that goes to games, maybe autograph collectors, and then there's 14-year-old Veronica Plante.

"I started drawing them out of my love for hockey," Veronica said.

She became a Sharks fan in 2010 and fell in love with the sport. She was taking an art class at her local rec center in Santa Clara and her teacher realized she had skill.

"Veronica's one of these people that she has the God-given talent for it. If she pushes it more, then she will totally blossom," art teacher James Green said.

"He really encouraged me to keep going and I found out I really, really enjoyed it," Veronica said.

PHOTOS: Young artist draws amazing portraits of San Jose Sharks players

Veronica is home schooled and her mother, Angela Plante, noticed early on that she was gifted.

"I noticed that she had a passion. She'd draw a lot at home and then her teacher decided to move her to the adult class," Angela said.

She decided to graduate from drawing animals and landscapes to the men in teal. It started with pictures online.

"I try to find one which compliments them, but also when they're playing on the ice and they're working because then you get expression and intensity in their face," Veronica said.

Her portraits are done with graphite pencils in black and white with shading. Goalie Antti Niemi was her first sketch at 12 and it has multiplied from there.

"I eventually worked myself through harder and harder details like with Thornton; then I did a beard. Then I did Couture and he has a visor. Then I moved onto black helmets and jerseys. So I just chose something to challenge myself each time," Veronica explained.

These portraits are amazing in their likeness and when Veronica asks the players to sign them, they're impressed.

"It's always nice to see fans do things like that and it's great when they take the time to be part of the Sharks...and have a passion for us," Sharks forward Patrick Marleau said.

"You know you see somebody that's young and that has such a talent, I think it's cool," Sharks defenseman Brent Burns said.

Veronica's made a connection most 14-year-olds will never have with these players, but she has one more portrait she can't wait to do.

"Thornton or Marleau hoisting the Stanley Cup. That would be really, really cool to draw," Veronica said.

Pretty impressive!

Now, as you all know I'm not vain at all and I asked Veronica if she drew players from other sports. She said she didn't know any. So after a quick explanation, I sat down for my close-up.

After teasing me about my fitting my forehead on her canvas and my Roman nose, here is the finished product.

Not bad for a rush job?

Veronica wants to get into graphic arts and animation in college and we wish her the best.