In the following years his work gradually changed into abstract painting in which the colors and the composition were the main ways of expression. In his method of painting in transparent layers and using stencil forms he showed his affinity of printing techniques.

His style had been influenced by trips to Sicily, with its fascinating volcanoes and traces of old culture, to Spain and South Asia with decorative art. His visit in the first three months of 1987 to Gujarat, India had a major impact. Rob's work became more and more colorful.

In 1990 Rob van Doeselaar was involved in an exchange project with a group of artists from Berlin and Amsterdam.