2nd Smudge Paint Attempt

[Bigbadbearhugs]

This is my first person. It took me over five hours and several thousand tears until I was even semi-happy with the results.
I cannot figure out how to get rid of the dark places on the face before I start - example undereye circles and around eye next to the nose in some cases. I need to know how to even out the skin before I start I guess.
I want to achieve that flawless look you see on some of the paintings.....UGGGHHHH.....

[Diana]

You can clone out the dark circle under eyes this way. Get the Clone Stamp tool and in the options bar, select a soft-edged brush, set the opacity to around 50%, and the Mode to Lighten. Then Alt-click to take a sample of the lighter skin just below the dark circles and "paint" over the dark circles.

I swear by Butch's tutorial for evening skin tones from this thread (Post #6):
http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8981

Your smudge images are looking good!

Diana

[Bigbadbearhugs]

I read through Butch's Tutorial - thank you so much for sharing it. I will try your cloning method first. I've done some cloning but with the extra tweaks you mentioned, it may be just what I need. Thanks again so much.
Other than that, what else do you see that needs specific work?

[ljameso1]

I would also try to soften the creases around the smile. Your smudging is great!

[Bigbadbearhugs]

I know, one side of her cheek looked like she had a flap there! I went back in and took the advice Diana gave me for cloning out some of the color I don't need and it looks a little bit better. Sometimes I run into color that I can't find a place for if that makes sense.