Artist Spotlight

Hello dear friends,

Today, we're excited to start a new series…

Each week, we will bring you closer to the artists and tutors of the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation (SOCO), sharing their stories, artistic styles, and creative journeys.

This week's artist:
Shevaun Doherty

At the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation, we believe that art begins with observation.

And with Shevaun, this idea becomes a way of life.

Shevaun is a botanical artist who specialises in watercolour painting. She has travelled from the West to the East to share her expertise, and she works with us as a tutor and instructor, passing on her knowledge and passion to our students every day at SOCO.

In our conversation with her, she said something simple yet profound:
“Art is seeing the details that most people overlook.”

She doesn't merely paint nature
she reintroduces it to us in a way that allows us to see it again, differently.

Her journey began while living in Egypt, where nature became a daily source of inspiration. By collecting simple elements such as flowers and leaves, she developed a practice that later evolved into a refined artistic style combining scientific observation with artistic sensitivity.

At SOCO, this is precisely what Shevaun teaches our students…
not just how to paint, but how to observe, be patient, and truly understand what they are creating.

For her, painting is a quiet process that requires time and focus—values that we aim to cultivate in our students.

Her work is distinguished by its ability to capture light, colour, and fine details using watercolour, making each piece feel like a true study of nature.

If you would like to begin your journey in this art form, you can join her courses at SOCO — available online from anywhere in the world.

To join: https://socofujairah.ae/product/painting-realistic-fruit-in-watercolour/

In this workshop, you will learn:
• The fundamentals of drawing
• Drip painting techniques (wet-on-wet, layering, dry brush)
• Understanding light, shadow and fine details
• How to build a complete artwork step by step

We look forward to seeing you next week with another artist.

Thank you for following us ✨