Hi, I'm still new to cleaning so I was hoping someone could please advise me on how to clean the last panel of this page since I can't seem to get the pattern right.
I'm using Gimp by the way.
You can either:
1. Select nearby areas, copy them to new layers and basically jigsaw puzzle it out.
2. Use Clone Tool and choose a few different sources:
2.1. Since the pattern darkens diagonally, set first source on the left, slightly below the top of the text, use that source to redraw half of the text.
Then, choose a source on the right, slightly above the top of the text and redraw the remaining part.
2.2. Choose a relatively soft brush (80% hardness max).
2.3. Make sure to tick "Sample merged" and choose "Aligned" option in Alignment.
2.4. Here's a little trick you should use - make a new empty layer for each source you choose (so, at least two layers for each strip of text):
2.4.1. You set the first source and start cloning on the first empty layer.
2.4.2. You redraw half of the text without worrying that the patterns possibly don't match.
2.4.3. You choose the [M]ove Tool, you tap your first redraw layer, and then you move that layer about with arrow keys to set a perfect match. Just make sure to disable "Show Layer Boundary" in View.
2.4.4. You repeat the process on another empty layer and voila~
If there are any imperfections you fix them the same way - new source on an empty layer. You can use dodge/burn tools (soft brushes, range "midtones", probably) to darken/lighten any areas you might need.
