INTRODUCTION
Here we’ll explore when to use the use of the Clone Tool and/or the Healing Brush Tool.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.

OPEN A PICTURES
Open a picture that contains quite a bit of clear sky.  Click File + Duplicate > close the original.

SCRATCH THE PICTURE
Set the foreground color to black > select the Pencil Tool > set Size: to 1 pixel > draw a line or two in the sky that reaches from the top of the sky to an object below the sky.

MAKE A GRADIENT IN THE SKY
Select “Create adjustment layer” on the Layers Palette > select Gradient… > set Gradient: Foreground to Transparent, Style: Linear, Angle: -90, Scale: 100, check Align with layer > click OK.

FLATTEN THE IMAGE
Click Layer + Merge Visible.

USE HEALING BRUSH TOOL
Select the Healing Brush Tool > size the tool with the “[“ and “]” keys > place the mouse pointer on a clear area of the dark sky > hold the Alt key and tap the left mouse > move the pointer to a spot on the black line > hold the left mouse button down and drag along the line.  Notice that even though your reference color is dark, the “healed” color is that which surrounds the removed line.

USE THE CLONE TOOL
When trying to remove the line near an object, it’s necessary to use the Clone Tool.  Use the Zoom Tool to enlarge the work area.  Select the Clone Tool > hold the Alt key and click a clear area of the sky near the line to be removed > click and drag to remove the line > reduce the size of the tool with the “]” key if necessary > repeat in small steps to finish.

CONCLUSION
The Healing Brush Tool uses the sample area for texture, not color.  The Clone Tool replaces the target with the sample including color and texture.

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