Don't know if this is a helpful perspective or not, but I worked into melody picking by emphasizing the melody note during an arpeggio (plucking it a bit harder). Then maybe giving a little extra space "behind" a sustained melody note rather than continuing with the entire arpeggio pattern. Next step was to throw in the occasional "running" note that's in the melody between the chords (don't have to hit every one of these as long as voice or another instrument is carrying the melody). Then I started ornamenting with hammer-ons & pull-offs. Naturally these extra notes require some time & hand movement, so notes from the arpeggio get dropped out. But I still keep the chord & arpeggio pattern going in my mind & let it come out to "fill in the corners" around the melody as needed.

Have fun finding your own style!