5 Practical Tips for Mastering the Persona Art Style

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 6 min read

If you're a fan of the Persona series, you might have noticed the unique and captivating art style that sets it apart from other games. Learning to master the Persona art style can be a fun and rewarding experience, and with these practical tips, you'll be well on your way to creating your own Persona-inspired art.

1. Study the Persona Art Style

Before diving into drawing, it's important to understand the elements that define the Persona art style. This includes the character designs, color palette, and overall visual aesthetic.

Understand the Style

The Persona art style is characterized by a few key elements:

Dynamic poses – Characters are often depicted in active and expressive poses, conveying their personality and energy.
Sharp lines – The art style uses clean, sharp lines, which gives the characters a crisp, modern look.
Bold colors – The color palette is vibrant and high-contrast, making the characters stand out from their surroundings.

By familiarizing yourself with these elements, you'll be better equipped to capture the essence of the Persona art style in your own work.

Analyze the Character Designs

Study the characters from the Persona series to understand their design principles. Pay attention to:

The proportions of their bodies and faces
Their clothing and accessories
Their hairstyles and facial expressions

As you study these elements, try sketching the characters to practice capturing their unique features. This will help you internalize the design principles and make it easier to apply them to your own art.

Study the Color Palette

The Persona art style uses a bold, high-contrast color palette. To master this aspect of the style, start by studying the colors used in the series. Notice how the colors:

Create a sense of energy and emotion
Define the characters' personalities
Set the tone for the game's atmosphere

Once you have a good understanding of the color palette, experiment with applying it to your own art. This will help you develop a feel for the vibrant, high-contrast look that defines the Persona art style.

2. Practice Drawing in the Style

Once you've studied the Persona art style, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Start by drawing characters from the series, and then move on to creating your own original characters in the Persona style.

Draw Characters from the Series

Begin by drawing your favorite characters from the Persona series. This will help you get a feel for the style and become comfortable with the elements that define it. As you draw, pay attention to:

The proportions and anatomy of the characters
The dynamic poses and expressions
The clean, sharp lines

With practice, you'll start to develop a better understanding of the Persona art style and be better prepared to create your own characters.

Create Your Own Characters

Now that you've practiced drawing existing Persona characters, it's time to create your own original characters in the Persona art style. When designing your characters, consider the following:

What role would they play in the Persona universe?
What is their personality like?
What clothing and accessories would they wear?

By creating your own characters, you'll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge of the Persona art style and further refine your skills.

Experiment with Variations

As you become more comfortable with the Persona art style, don't be afraid to experiment and make the style your own. Try adding your own unique twists and variations to the characters, poses, and color palette. This will help you develop your own distinct style while still maintaining the core elements of the Persona art style.

3. Seek Out Resources and Tutorials

Improving your skills in the Persona art style requires learning from various resources and tutorials. By studying the work of others, you can pick up new techniques and ideas to incorporate into your own art. Let's explore some of the resources and tutorials that can help you master the Persona art style.

Watch Speedpaints and Tutorials

One of the best ways to learn a new art style is to watch others in action. Search for speedpaint videos and tutorials that focus on the Persona art style. Observing artists as they draw and paint can provide valuable insights into their techniques, such as:

How they construct and refine their sketches
How they use color and shading
How they add details and finishing touches

Take notes and try to apply what you learn to your own drawings.

Study Artbooks and Concept Art

Studying the official artbooks and concept art for the Persona series can be incredibly helpful for understanding the art style. These resources often contain detailed character designs, backgrounds, and illustrations, as well as insights from the artists themselves. When studying artbooks and concept art, look for:

Character design sketches and iterations
Color and shading techniques
Background and environment designs

These resources can help you gain a deeper understanding of the Persona art style and inspire your own creations.

Join Online Communities

Connecting with other artists who share your interest in the Persona art style can be both motivating and educational. Join online communities, such as forums, social media groups, or art-sharing websites, where you can:

Share your own artwork and receive feedback
Ask questions and discuss techniques with other artists
Discover new resources and tutorials

By engaging with others who are also learning and practicing the Persona art style, you can accelerate your progress and make the learning process more enjoyable.

4. Honing Your Digital Art Skills

Mastering the Persona art style also involves refining your digital art skills. As the Persona series often features polished illustrations and designs, learning how to create high-quality digital artwork is essential. Let's look at some steps you can take to hone your digital art skills in the context of the Persona art style.

Choose the Right Software

The first step in honing your digital art skills is selecting the right software. While there are many drawing programs available, it's essential to choose one that aligns with your needs and goals. Popular choices for digital artists include:

Adobe Photoshop
Clip Studio Paint
Procreate (for iPad users)

Each program offers unique features and tools that can help you create stunning Persona-style artwork. Experiment with different software and find the one that best suits your needs.

Practice Inking and Coloring

In the Persona art style, clean lines and bold colors are key elements. Therefore, it's vital to practice inking and coloring your drawings digitally. To improve your inking and coloring techniques, consider the following tips:

Practice drawing smooth, clean lines with various brush settings and pen pressures
Experiment with different shading techniques, such as cel shading or soft gradients
Learn how to use color theory effectively to create harmonious color schemes

With consistent practice, you'll be able to create polished, eye-catching Persona-style illustrations.

Master Digital Effects

One aspect that sets Persona art style apart is its use of digital effects to enhance illustrations. To create that distinctive Persona look, learn how to use various digital effects in your artwork, such as:

Layer blending modes for lighting and shading effects
Textured brushes for a unique, stylized look
Filters and adjustments to fine-tune colors and contrasts

By mastering digital effects, you can elevate your Persona-style artwork and make it truly stand out.

5. Seek Feedback and Improve

Improvement is an ongoing process, and mastering the Persona art style requires continuous effort and learning. One of the most effective ways to grow as an artist is by seeking feedback from others and applying their suggestions to your work. Here are some ways to get feedback and use it to improve your Persona-style art skills:

Sharing your artwork online is an excellent way to receive feedback from fellow artists and fans of the Persona art style. Post your work on platforms like DeviantArt, Instagram, or Twitter, and ask for constructive criticism. Don't be afraid of negative feedback; it can help you identify areas that need improvement and inspire you to push your boundaries.

Participate in Art Challenges

Art challenges are a fun and engaging way to improve your skills and receive feedback from others. Join Persona-themed art challenges or create your own prompts to practice specific aspects of the art style. By participating in these challenges, you'll not only receive valuable feedback from others but also discover new techniques and ideas to incorporate into your work.

Practice Regularly

As with any skill, regular practice is essential for mastering the Persona art style. Set aside time each day or week to work on your art and apply the feedback you've received. Keep track of your progress, and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't see immediate results. Remember, improvement takes time and dedication, so stay patient and enjoy the journey of developing your Persona-style art skills.

If you're looking to discover and develop your unique illustration style, don't miss the workshop 'Finding Your Illustration Style' by Florencia Fuertes. In this workshop, you'll learn valuable techniques and insights to help you find and refine your personal illustration style, setting you apart in the creative world.