Learning how to use the photoshop healing brush. Sometimes using the Clone Stamp Tool isn't the best option we need the Healing Brush. The Healing Brush Tool is a relative newcomer to Photoshop's toolset. While the Clone Stamp Tool can tackle most image editing jobs, some tasks are better suited to this related tool.

When you use the Clone Stamp what you sample is what you get; this can make it hard to hide the involvement of the Clone Stamp Tool on textured surfaces.

Photoshop Elements 3 features the Healing Brush Tool it also boasts a unique version of the tool called the Spot Healing Brush.

This works in a similar way to the regular Healing Brush, but it doesn't require you to sample adjacent pixels you can simply spray over unwanted areas to remove them.

Let's look at how the two tools tackle a typical cosmetic enhancement job. Just picture a model with a spot, a freckle and very dry skin blemish near her nose.

Using the Clone Stamp you can sample a clear patch of skin and sprayed it over the spot. Because the Clone Stamp sampled an area of skin with a slightly different.

For minor blemishes, the Healing Brush Tool has a big advantage over the Clone Stamp. The Healing Brush works by sampling both the source pixels and the destination pixels; it then mixes between the samples to create a perfect blend. Treat it like the Clone Stamp, and [Alt]/[Option]-Click to take a sample. When you start to spray the effect doesn't look that convincing.

It's only when you let go of the mouse button after spraying some sampled pixels that the Healing Brush works its

magic. Once it has averaged out the values of the source and destination pixels, you won't be able to tell what's been edited.

Reduce the brush size for more subtle healing, on areas such as the red patch of skin by the nose.

For more in formation on the healing brush visit: brushes for photoshop