Rob Derks studied to be a drawing teacher, which led him to decide to become a comic artist. His first comics were printed in the magazines De Stripper and Diogenes. One of his early comics creations was 'AbsolutLee', a comic based on singer Lee Towers.
His comic 'Pakje Bakmeel', about a box of baking flour, was published every week in the newspaper Metro for several years. Rob Derks self-published 'Pakje Bakmeel Presenteert' (1998), 'Pakje Bakmeel Bakt er Wel Wat Van' (2000), 'Pakje Bakmeel 1& 2' (2005 & 2006) and 'Pakje Bakmeel bakt ze bruin' (2012). 'Pakje Bakmeel' was published in Roetsj, a Dutch children's magazine.
Derks also participates in the 'Fred van Honderloo' book project with actor Joris Lutz, and he makes illustrations for Band Zonder Banaan, ProRail, Nederlandse Politiebond, LAKS and many others. For Zone 5300 he made portraits of musicians for the Rob & Roll Hall of Fame.
He is also known for his large crowded drawings, in the tradition of Jan van Haasteren. In 2012 Rob was asked by Jumbo as a member of the Jan van Haasteren Studio and is working on his own puzzle series for Jumbo to be launched in 2014. Rob Derks is a member of Studio Noodweer, together with René Leisink, Jan Dirk Barreveld, Michiel van de Vijver, Robby van der Meulen, Jordi Peters and Maarten Gerritsen.
In 2021 Derks won the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs as part of Jan van Haasteren's Studio Van Haasteren. He received the award along with Van Haasteren and Dick Heins.
