Derek Schneider is a local Melbourne artist who is best known for his figurative scenes. Working mainly with oil paint, there is a coexistence of representation and abstraction in Schneider's paintings, resulting in the eye seeing more than what actually exists. 

Schneider sets his figures against bold settings such as the aqua waters of the ocean, the burning golden sand and the frozen ski fields. His artworks show an extraordinary talent for tonalism and depicting light as well as capturing movement and life.