His work draws from the Kalighat tradition and 19th-century Company School paintings. Shaw uses a flat application of colour and sharp outlines to depict his subjects, typically the Babu or Bibi of Kolkata. These figures appear with everyday objects like umbrellas or flowers. He avoids three-dimensional shading. He focuses on the geometry of the human form and the patterns of traditional Indian dress.

Collectors value Shaw for his ability to capture a specific social type with quiet observation. His paintings provide a window into the domestic life of a past era. He does not rely on sentimentality. The graphic quality of his tempera works makes them suitable for modern interiors. The clear silhouettes and muted palettes allow these prints to function as sophisticated elements in a contemporary home.