How to Create a Blemish-Free Duplicate Layer [Locked]

[BH888]

Newbie Question:

Did blemish retouching on a new blank layer (which I named, “Blemish Layer”).  Next, duplicated the Background Layer and placed this layer below the “Blemish Layer” in the layer stack, in order to remove hot spots on the face with the Patch Tool; - named this duplicate layer, “Hot Spot Layer”.

Since the Hot Spot Layer is a duplicate of the Background Layer, it still has all the blemishes on it. So, when I designate a source area for the patch selection, it is loaded with blemishes, - regardless of whether I place the Hot Spot Layer below or above the Blemish (blank) Layer.

If I want to remove hot spots on a duplicated layer that has no blemishes (so that I can choose a clean source with the Patch Tool), logic tells me that when I create a duplicate layer for hot spots, I have to duplicate the combined Background Layer and Blank Blemish Layer together, - which, together, is blemish free.

If that is indeed the solution, how would I go about accomplishing that?

[Peru Bob]

Please continue discussion on your original thread:

Returning to a prior layer to do additional retouching

Thread locked.