Retouching Notes 1 – Introduction

Download the Exercise files here.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Clone Stamp Tool: S
Healing and Spot Healing Tool: J
Liquify Tool: SHIFT COMMAND X

Using the Clone Stamp Tool

The clone stamp tool allows you to paint a selection from one part of an image to another.

• You need to tell Photoshop what you want to duplicate by OPTION CLICKING.
• By default the Clone Stamp tool will only work on the same layer to work on multiple layers in the toolbar change the dropdown menu from Current Layer to All Layers or Current and Below
• The Clone Stamp tool is destructive so you should:
  1. create a new layer,
  2. select the layer you want to clone,
  3. OPTION CLICK on the target you want to clone,
  4. Click on the new layer and start cloning.

Using the Healing Brush tool

The Healing Brush works much like the Clone Stamp tool but also tries to match the color and tone of the location you are applying your selection to.

• You need to tell Photoshop what you want to duplicate by OPTION CLICKING.
• By default the Healing Brush tool will only work on the same layer to work on multiple layers in the toolbar change the dropdown menu from Current Layer to All Layers or Current and Below.
• The Healing Brush tool is destructive so you should:
  1. create a new layer,
  2. select the layer you want to heal,
  3. OPTION CLICK on the target you want to heal,
  4. Click on the new layer and start healing.
• Be careful of edges as the Heal tool tends to blend the space around it.

The Liquify Tool

The Liquify tool allows you to warp an image like putty. This tool is also destructive so it’s a good idea to duplicate the layer you plan to modify.

• The Liquify tool will open up in its own window with its own tool set which includes:
  • The Forward Warp Tool allows you to warp the image.
  • The Reconstruct Tool will slowly undo the changes you have made.
  • The Smooth Tool is a less aggressive version of the Reconstruct tool.
  • The Twirl tool will twirl the image clockwise, holding down OPTION will twirl the image counter-clockwise.
  • The Pucker Tool will shrink the image to the center of the brush.
  • The Bloat Tool will enlarge the image from the center of the brush.
  • The Reflect Tool will try to flip the image you are working on to the other side.
  • The Freeze and Melt tool will mask the image from other liquify tool effects.
  • The Face Tool will allow you to manipulate various aspects of a face.