My first, need help with skin

[unionroofer]

I used the Patch Tool in CS4 to remove blemishes, but now her skin looks spotty in some places where I used the tool. Since this is my first retouch, I don't know much about correcting skin tones etc. Any help and/or advice, would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure which link will work as I am new to this site.




http://flic.kr/p/8ziL1D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5372867...n/photostream/

[mistermonday]

Unionroofer, welcome to RetouchPro. The patch tool can be dangerous because of the lack of control. You would likely avoid the problem by using the healing brush, preferably first frequency splitting the image and using the healing brush on the High Frequency layer.
Regards, Murray

[jeljones]

Hey Unionroofer,

Yup, create a new layer and use the healing brush or clone stamp with sample all layers ticked.

That way your healing is non-destructive.

[wallace30]

Im old school- so I use the clone tool at a low percentage. I usually start at %20, in either "lighten" or "darken" mode depending on what Im correcting, and build from there.
I always clone to a new layer as well, then I can control the opacity of this layer.
And speaking of layers, if you are feeling adventurous you can try to simply paint over the skin blemishes- as a painter I do this frequently.
You have an excellent start- and I agree with the above posts too- patch tool is a no no for blemishes.