eraser is grey

[Erikn2]

HI

I am very new to this all and just follow tips a friend gave me, I often use the gausian blur on my pics and after that the  eraser to 'sharpen' the image again, but now when I do that the tool does not sharpen but darkens the image, I can only correct this by fully resetting photoshop, and even though that that works it is a bit annoying and I am sure there must be an easier way for that?

[jane-e · Accepted solution]

Try two things:

• Reset your Foreground / Background swatches by typing "D". The eraser uses the Background color.
• Reset the Eraser tool. Right-click the Eraser icon in the options bar (not Tools panel) and choose Reset Tool

~ Jane

[jalberda]

Typing D did the trick for me. Thank you!

[davescm]

Check the blend mode of the tool in the options bar - it should be normal.

However - there is a better way.

1. Put your image in a smart object

2. Use Gaussian blur on that smart object

3. Click in the white mask in the layers panel for the smart object

4. Paint on the image -with a soft black brush. You are actually painting on the mask - which will mask out the areas you paint black. If you overdo it just paint white on the mask and it will re-blur

Dave

[Erikn2]

great, I will try those things! thanks to you both