Retro Hand-drawn Style MidJourney Prompt and sref Code Analysis - Textured Illustration Guide
--sref 3016930748

sref code and prompt case 1 --sref 3016930748
sref code and prompt case 2 --sref 3016930748
sref code and prompt case 3 --sref 3016930748
sref code and prompt case 4 --sref 3016930748

If you generate different style variations using this sref, please make sure you either use the standard Midjourney version shown on this page or copy the full parameter string from the prompt, including the P code. To highlight the unique advantages and features of the style, we have carefully crafted custom prompts for each sref. By using these prompts, you can perfectly replicate the sref's effects.

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sref Style Characteristics Analysis

This sref style presents an extremely charming retro textured hand-drawn style, cleverly fusing the visual characteristics of Mid-century Modern illustration with Risograph printing.

This style brings to mind classic children's picture book designs from the 1950s-60s, or the works of illustration masters like Miroslav Šašek. Its most significant feature lies in the ultimate simulation of a "handmade feel"—the images do not pursue perfect straight lines or smooth gradients, but are filled with Dry Brush strokes, crayon textures, and noise textures simulating printing misalignments.

What makes this style impressive is that it breaks away from the "overly smooth" and "plastic feel" common in AI-generated images. It conveys a warm, naive, and humanistic emotion. In terms of color, it leans towards a retro palette with high saturation but slightly restrained brightness (such as mustard yellow, ultramarine blue, brick red), combined with ample white space or beige backgrounds, creating an atmosphere that is both relaxed and artistically stylish.

What is Retro Textured Hand-drawn Style

Retro Textured Hand-drawn Style is a visual style in digital art that simulates the effects of traditional media.

In this sref, it specifically refers to an art form combining flat composition with rich texture details. Rather than saying it restores the roughness caused by technical limitations, it is better to say it pursues that "imperfect perfection." It emphasizes the geometric generalization of shapes (not sticking to the precision of perspective and anatomy) and uses graininess, brush strokes, and paper textures to add depth and thickness to the image. This style makes the picture look less like it was computer-generated and more like a physical work carefully painted with Gouache or ink on rough drawing paper.

Retro Textured Hand-drawn Style Usage Scenarios

This Retro Textured Hand-drawn Style has strong narrative quality and affinity, making it very suitable for the following creative scenarios:

  1. Children's Picture Books and Educational Illustrations: Its childlike shapes and warm colors are naturally suitable for storytelling, capable of attracting children's attention without losing artistic educational value.
  2. Brand Packaging Design: Especially for products like coffee, tea, handmade chocolate, or organic foods. This style can convey a brand image of "craftsmanship," "naturalness," and "warmth."
  3. Editorial and Magazine Illustrations: In lifestyle, cultural commentary, or travel articles, this style provides a relaxed, humorous, and stylish visual companion experience, similar to the illustration taste of The New Yorker or Monocle magazine.
  4. Merchandise Design: Such as postcards, calendars, tote bag patterns, etc. This retro and highly artistic style is very popular among young artistic groups.

Retro Textured Hand-drawn Style Prompt Inspiration

To generate works in this style, try adding the following descriptive words to your Prompt:

  • Risograph print
  • Mid-century modern illustration
  • Textured gouache
  • Folk art style
  • Crayon texture
  • Naive art

Example Prompt:

A whimsical illustration of a jazz band playing in a park, mid-century modern style, risograph print texture, bold flat colors, mustard yellow and teal blue, playful character design --sref [CODE]

Want more inspiration for precise image control? Consider upgrading to a website membership to unlock all prompts on the site, giving wings to your creativity.

More Prompt Tips & Tricks


You can explore further by combining the following prompt command for MidJourney:

  • --sv: There are six versions of the Style Reference feature in Midjourney version 7 when using images. Use the --sv parameter to choose between them. --sv 6 is default. --sv 4 is the old V7 sref model (prior to June 16, 2025). Using --sv 6 and --sv 4 may produce different style results.
  • --s: Default value is 100, can be set from 0 to 1000. The higher the value, the more detailed the image, and the closer the style may be to reality.
  • -niji 6: Using this command will give the image a more anime style.
  • --sw: Default value is 100, can be input from 0 to 1000. A higher value makes the style closer to the original.
  • You can now blend multiple --sref codes together (for example --sref 123 456 )
  • You can weigh individual codes or urls as follows --sref 123::2
  • You can also read more guides on How to use SREF Code

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This website stands out as one of the pioneering libraries I discovered in my AI art journey. What truly sets it apart is its comprehensive offering: not just unique style codes, but also intricate blends and full prompts. The inclusion of complete prompts is particularly valuable, as it's an artistic choice that many creators hesitate to share openly.

Felix Koutchinski

Felix Koutchinski

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As a beginner in MidJourney, I struggled to create the style of images I envisioned and felt lost with keyword usage. This led me to create this website for sref codes and examples with prompts, aimed at helping newcomers easily generate high-quality images and find joy in their creative process.

underwood

underwood

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There are many Midjourney Sref galleries online, but promptsref.com is my go-to resource. If you're looking for a comprehensive collection of Midjourney Srefs, this is the only website you need.

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