Ok, first off, nice job bringing that back from a horrendous argument. Smooth like SnakPak.
Secondly, here's a tip (not sure if it's what you're looking for, but I'll hand it to yah anyhow); after you do the blurring/smudging, go over some of your lines again (lightly); I think that'll make it look a bit better. Also, try some shading (if you're able) to make the hole a bit more obvious (obvious that it's a hole; obviously, it's already obvious, just not obvious in the way it should be obvious). Most importantly, though, keep on trudgin' through until the end, and I'm sure it'll turn out awesomely. :)