PSE9 - Layer Mask not working :o(

I far as I know, I am doing everything correctly...
1st - I copied my background layer twice, so I now have three layers.
2nd - I have made obvious changes to the middle layer.
3rd - I selected my top layer and added a mask.
4th - I made sure that the "mask was selected and my foreground brush was set to black.
I painted over the layer mask in the top layer to reveal the adjustment I made to the middle layer, but no matter how much I paint nothing happens.
My brush size is OK.
Opacity is set to Normal and 100%
What am I missing?
While I am waiting for an answer, I will be over there :bash
1st - I copied my background layer twice, so I now have three layers.
2nd - I have made obvious changes to the middle layer.
3rd - I selected my top layer and added a mask.
4th - I made sure that the "mask was selected and my foreground brush was set to black.
I painted over the layer mask in the top layer to reveal the adjustment I made to the middle layer, but no matter how much I paint nothing happens.
My brush size is OK.
Opacity is set to Normal and 100%
What am I missing?
While I am waiting for an answer, I will be over there :bash
Blessed are those who remain flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape.
0
Comments
You are using a white brush also, I assume?
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
BTW, it might be a little simpler to do this if you just add an entirely black mask to your adjusted layer (2) and paint it with a white brush to reveal the adjustments. That way you don't need the third layer at all, though there are some cases in which you might want it.
What I have been trying to do is smooth out some skin tones by applying a Gaussian blur to the layer below my layer mask. Brushing over the facial areas to let the blur show and then adjusting the amount of blur with the opacity slider.
I am glad it is working now, and if I ever figure out what was going on I will be sure to let everyone know.
Thanks so much for all of the responses.
Eddie