As a special effects artist John Blakeley has produced his own art and film industry work for over 20 years. Prior to the films, John Blakeley was an established artist in his own right - and produced a wide array of figurative sculpture. As a figurative sculptor, John Blakeley worked at Madame Tussuards, producing portrait art. John Blakeley was trained as an artist in London, Cararra and Athens, Immersing himself in classic art and the work of classical artists. As a classically trained artist, John Blakeley focused his art around the human form, sculpting figurative art in twisted form. John Blakeley's art continues to be figurative and as an artist and sculptor, he continues to investigate the human form.
Film Special effects have given John Blakeley the opportunity to continue developing his art and gain knowledge from many leading special effects artists. John Blakeley always had a love for film (he is investigating a possible link between Blakeley films and his family) and the opportunity to work in film was too good to miss. Film artist opportunities and being able to produce film art is a privilege John Blakeley has thoroughly enjoyed. To become a film sculptor and special effects artist has enabled him to continue to produce art, both for films and for commission. Film is one of the few opportunities which enables artists to produce quality art and sculptures within a work environment.
John Blakeley is now based on the Isle of Wight where he continues to produce his own art as well as film work. He is determined, as a local artist, to become involved in the local art scene and not to work only as a film sculptor. It is his work as an artist and primarily a sculptor which drives John Blakeley. He has always wanted to be an artist, since his young days - and it was not long into his studies as a young artist that he discovered his desire was to become a sculptor.
It is difficult for any artist to survive in the art work, but doubly so for a sculptor. Many people call themselves an artist and quite a few refer to themselves as a sculptor - but John Blakeley did it the hard way. John Blakeley received full and classical training in figurative art and learnt from some of Europe’s best artists and sculptors.
Never Say Never Again (1983)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984)
Sculpted chimp suits for Rick Baker
Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom (1984)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Top Secret! (1984)
as a sculptor, produced art for film sets, props and special effects including falling sentry guard
Legend (1985)
Involved with sets, props and special effects
Link (1986)
Sculpted chimp suits
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - responsible for the plant at various stages of development
Superman IV (1987)
Sculpted The Statue of Liberty including full scale arm and hand
Willow (1988)
as a sculptor, produced art for film sets, props and special effects
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film developing the mechanical fish, props and special effects
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (1989)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film special effects including sculpting the animals on the train
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
Included designing and sculpting the talking boil
Monster Maker (1989)
Designed and sculpted the monster
The Witches (1990)
Sculpted mouse suits
The Storyteller: Greek Myths (1990)
Responsible for creature development (working together with animatronics) and sets
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Sculpted the Turtle body suits for Michelangelo and Leonardo
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - figure of Alan Rickman and Robin's silver crucifix
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film developing perspective cheating sets
Three Musketeers (1993)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Frankenstein (1994)
Created animatronic legs for the Monster
GoldenEye (1995)
Involved with set building
Cutthroat Island (1995)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - included creating two full size galleons and a miniature decorative coach
Muppets Treasure Island (1996)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film created perspective galleon
Wind in The Willows (1996)
Responsible for sculpture and Art Department models
101 Dalmatians (1996)
as a sculptor, produced art for film sets, props and special effects
Hamlet (1996)
Head of Film Sculpture Department - work included 15ft statue of Brian Blessed and decorative enrichment on the Mirrored Palace
The Borrowers (1997)
as a sculptor, produced art for film the development of animatronic miniatures, sculpted miniature portraits of the key characters
Lost in Space (1998)
Head of Film Sculpture Department - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
The Avengers (1998)
as a sculptor, produced art for film sets, props and special effects
Entrapment (1999)
Work included sculpting copies of Rodin statues
The World is Not Enough (1999)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - work included decorative enrichment on the casino
Quills (2000)
Head of Film Sculpture Department/ Actor - work included sculpting figures for the asylum entrance and making acting debut
Enemy at The Gate (2001)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - included 54ft Russian style statue of Stalin
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Reign of Fire (2002)
Head of Film Sculpture Department - included creating ruined London Docks
Die Another Day (2002)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film Ice Palace set, props and special effects
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Alexander The Great (2004)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Batman Begins (2005)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - sculpted decorative enrichment for Monastery set, as a sculptor, produced art for film props and special effects
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Sculpted graveyard figures and as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
Eragon (2006)
Head of Film Sculpture Department - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
The Magic Flute (2007)
Head of Film Sculpture Department (HOD) - as a sculptor and artist, sculpted art for film sets, props and special effects
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