How to Use Face Paint Layers in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

What are the two face paint layers?

The face paint editor in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream gives you two independent layers to work with: top and bottom. This is the single most important system to understand — it's the difference between a clean, professional-looking Mii and a messy one where details keep disappearing behind other paint.

Each layer acts as its own canvas. Elements on the top layer always appear above elements on the bottom layer. Think of them as sheets of transparent film stacked on top of each other. You can move artwork between these sheets at any time using the Select tool.

How to move artwork between layers

Moving an element between layers is straightforward once you know the steps:

1. Draw your element on the canvas using any brush size or tool.
2. Select it using the dotted-box Select tool in the toolbar. Draw a selection rectangle around your artwork.
3. Press ZR to toggle the selected element between the top and bottom layers. You'll see it shift visually if there's other paint on the opposite layer.
4. Deselect by tapping outside the selection to lock it in place.

This works for any drawn element — shapes, freehand strokes, stamps, everything. You can also select multiple unconnected elements at once by drawing a larger selection box, then move them all together.

When to use each layer

Here's a practical guide to what goes where:

Bottom layer — put these here:

• Skin base colour
• Hair fills and broad colour areas
• Background shading and gradients
• Anything you want sitting behind other details

Top layer — put these here:

• Outlines and line art
• Facial markings (scars, whiskers, blush)
• Fine details that sit on top of base colours
• Accessories and highlights

The Draw Over/Under toggle

This is the most misunderstood part of the editor. The face icon below the canvas preview controls whether your paint appears above or below the Mii's preset facial features (eyes, nose, mouth from the Mii editor). This is separate from the two paint layers.

If you set it to Draw Under, your paint sits behind the preset features — useful for skin tones. If you set it to Draw Over, your paint covers the preset features — useful for custom eye designs or full-face character recreations.

Common layering mistakes

• Painting a skin base on the top layer then adding markings. The markings go beneath the skin base. Put the base on the bottom layer first.
• Forgetting the Draw Over/Under toggle applies to everything. You can't set it per-element. Decide before you start.
• Moving something to the wrong layer and not noticing. Use ZR to toggle layers early and check your work frequently.
• Not using the Select tool. You can't move elements between layers without selecting them first. The dotted-box tool is essential.
• Painting too many details before setting up layers. Start with bottom-layer fills, then switch to the top layer for details.

Using the grid tool for layer planning

Before you start painting in-game, open the Tomodachi face paint grid tool and upload your reference image. The tool shows you a cell-by-cell colour map. Plan which cells go on the bottom layer (large colour blocks) and which go on the top layer (fine details, outlines). This prevents the "I painted the wrong layer" frustration entirely.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have more than two layers? No — the editor has exactly two paint layers plus the Draw Over/Under toggle for preset features. Plan your design around this constraint.

Do I lose my work if I switch layers? No — the layer toggle only moves the selected element. Everything else stays where it is.

Can I merge layers? You can't merge layers directly, but if you move all elements to the same layer, they'll effectively be merged. Just note that once multiple elements overlap on the same layer, you can't separate them again without using undo.