Rob Derks was born on 1 September 1974 in Nijmegen. He is a Dutch comic artist and illustrator, known for his humorous and detailed drawings. He lives in Nijmegen with his three children.

Early on, Rob chose a creative path. After a brief period in teacher training, he realised his passion lay not in teaching but fully in drawing. In 1999, he gained national recognition with his comic Pakje Bakmeel (A Packet of Flour), which humorously brought a flour packet to life. It was published in the daily newspaper Metro.

Career

In 2001, Rob co-founded the comic studio Studio Noodweer with three colleagues, which has since grown into a collective of six artists. They work both individually and collaboratively on comics and illustrations. Rob also designs beer labels for Brewery D’n Brul and developed his own puzzle series, Pieces of History, depicting historical events in a humorous and educational way.

At Studio Jan van Haasteren

Since 2013, Rob has been part of Studio Jan van Haasteren. His first puzzle for the studio was Sea Banquet, although his second design, Winter Fair, was the first to be published. Rob’s style fits seamlessly within the world of Jan van Haasteren, while adding his own creative touches.

Distinctive Style

In his puzzles, you’ll find not only Jan’s familiar recurring characters but also Rob’s own signature details. Two long-bearded men – a nod to ZZ Top – frequently appear, as do Freddie Mercury, the letters AC/DC, and Elvis. A blue pen, twins, and two fighting women are also recurring features. Keen-eyed puzzlers will also notice regular guest appearances by a painter and a chimney sweep.