Helsaple's new book, "Physics of Watercolor" book makes a splash in Sedona

Written by Zachary Jernigan
    Red Rock News, Sedona, AZ
    November 12th, 2015

According to artist Mary Helsaple, when you painted with simple watercolors as a child you were in fact witnessing a complicated thing: "The marriage between brush, pigment and paper."

According to Helsaple, her recently released book "Physics of Watercolor: A Guide to the Techniques in Watercolor Painting" was named in recognition of how each element comes together. Unlike oil paints and acrylics, nothing is left behind on the paper but the pigment; as the water evaporates, any number of things can happen to impact the painting.

Standing behind her display at the Sedona Women Art Fair at the Sedona Elks Lodge Wednesday, Nov. 11, Helsaple admitted that watercolors can be challenging to new artists. At the same time, she said the technique appeals to many, being at once “sensual and more organic” than oil painting or acrylics.

“Most people who’ve bought the book are people who’ve tried watercolor and been a little frustrated,” Helsaple said, smiling down at the 5-year-old boy who had wandered over to try watercolors for the first time. “Physics of Watercolor,” the artist added, helps new watercolor enthusiasts troubleshoot many of the most common missteps.

Part of the problem is that watercolors are difficult to control — “It’s water; it gets everywhere,” Helsaple explained — but the greater issue is that most artists do not know how or why watercolors produce their specific effect. Understanding why the tried-and-true techniques work is fundamental, according to Helsaple.

“After numerous requests over the years, I finally decided it was time to illustrate the skills required to become proficient in detailed watercolors,” Helsaple said. "This is not a book about ‘how to create a painting. Most people already know what they want to create, and they just want to know how to get there.

Helsaple walks the walk of an artist: Her watercolors go with her everywhere. She retrieved several journals from her bag, displaying page after page of watercolor studies of the Grand Canyon, graceful script bracketing each. Staring from finished painting to sketch, it's difficult to call one more beautiful than the other.

"Just as you must learn to ride a bicycle before attempting a cross country ride, it is necessary to first learn the physics and techniques of watercolor before you can create your masterpiece," Helsaple concluded.