Shahanoor Mamun, considered as one of the most talented watercolourist in the country, has a great zeal for depicting the splendour of nature, six seasons of the country, monsoon and its intrinsic beauty, placid environment, riverine life, flora and fauna, dense foliage, cloudy skies, hilly areas along the banks of Sangu River, green ambiance of Sutai river which extends from Brahmaputra River, sights of Sundarbans mangrove forest and more. He draws rural, urban, semi-urban and old parts of the city where the protagonists are very much connected with the localities. He believes in a great philosophy, that we are all part of nature, but some of us intimately studies nature with intense passion.

Mamun embarked on his primary education in Mymensingh and the district is recognised for its rustic magnificence and marshlands. He passed his childhood by the banks of the Brahmaputra River and Sutia River which flow very near to his village. Skipping classes at school, he enjoyed to see sailing boats, boatmen singing, riverine life and green grandeurs. During this time he used to portray them with his novice hands.

Afterwards Mamun enrolled at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. He commenced as a ceramic artist but suddenly decided to switch to watercolour. Mamun is a nature watercolourist. His keen aptitude is to draw the philosophical aspect of nature, its volume and colour to create sensitive vibes. He has painted different types of boats in different localities of the country. The painter continues to work on this significant subject as he feels that the diminishing style of different types of traditional boats requires prominent focus. Besides these, Mamun ardently paints Old Dhaka with its vivacious activities, downtrodden people, rickshaws, traditional horse carts, narrow alleys, condensed habitations, wrecked buildings, cluttered wires scattered across roads, etc.

Realism is his forte. Mamun has the ability to create an authentic setting as a backdrop for themes to intensify the drama. He has used quiet colours and tones where Old Dhaka's socio-economical and cultural structures, urban hustle and bustle, architectural and structural improvements have also been highlighted. Meticulous depictions of Tati Bazar, Shakhari Bazaar and their streets overwhelmed with rush hours, rain drenched outlines and more are evident in his works. He depicts landscapes in a vital synchronisation in themselves. Illumination is an outstanding trait in the works and the artist generally prefers luminous light and mystifying backgrounds.

In his career, Mamun has developed an individual style particularly in watercolour medium. He prefers the medium firstly and foremostly for its trait of articulateness. The medium's lucidity gives him a liberty to impart his creativity smoothly. Many of his watercolours have also been done by agile brushstrokes. He possesses adequate insistence and potentials necessary for transforming visual insight of the world into a heart-rending approach. He draws pleasure from watercolour which enables him to interpret his inner thriving. In recent times, Mamun has proved his dexterity in portraying the details of light and shadow while reflecting on nature at work in torrential rain, swallowed river with tiny boats and quiet nature.

Most implementations of Mamun's watercolors technique are flat wash. When beginning he soaks the area of paper to be covered by the wash prior to mixing sufficient pigment to easily fill the entire area of the paper. He has also frequently used the glazing technique. This is a watercolour technique similar to a wash and the artist has used a thin, translucent colour applied over dry existing washes. It can be clearly perceived that Mamun has confidently applied a single stroke or several strokes and then left them for drying.

After close observation, it can be comprehended that Mamun's watercolours are refreshing, thoughtful and provide the viewers a sense of ecstasy. Most of his watercolours are lively and have the right kind of self-control. He knows where to draw conclusions. The artist feels that nature has its own rhythm and his main focus is to unfold the pulses of nature. Loneliness and quietness are the most important features of his works. He muses that we are alone with nature, and then we become part of it - we participate in it.

Mamun's themes and approaches are closely connected to physiological experiments. He has also added illusions and emotions to his works. His use of colours is mellow, expressive and nostalgic. His watercolours are superb in terms of his personal techniques and in creating the effects of water and essence of nature.

Mamun frequently goes outdoor in different locations in the country. He visits the spots first and then goes off to draw their surroundings. He does not believe in replicating photographs. Rather he tries to feel the surroundings in their true essence from the core of his heart, a desire which has further motivated him to immerse himself with the ambiance of nature.

Mamun's works in watercolours have an affluence and maturity achieved through years of dedicated working. His works are conspicuously linked to his childhood memories, thoughts thus signifying his personal preference for his umbilical cord to his birthplace.