How to Draw Motaro

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to draw a Motaro – a frightening monster from the Mortal Kombat universe.

Many of you probably encountered this monster while playing the classic game “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.”

Motaro also appeared in the Mortal Kombat film series. Along with Goro, Motaro was a sub-boss and probably one of the most violent opponents. Many players remember how difficult the battles with this monster were.

How to draw Motaro step by step

Step 1: Sketch Motaro’s basic skeleton

Begin with a stick figure. The basic rules of male body structure apply only to the point where the horse body begins. First, draw Motaro’s head as an inverted egg. Then sketch the torso and arm with simple lines. Curve the torso slightly to emphasize his proud posture.

The distance from the top of Motaro’s head to the beginning of the horse body is approximately equal to three or three and a half head lengths. Draw the arm with a smooth, slightly curved line that is a little longer than the torso line.

Now move to the horse section. Note the angle of Motaro’s spine. Unlike the relatively level back of a conventional centaur, this line slopes sharply downward from the front legs toward the tail. Draw the front legs straight and the hind legs bent into an S-like shape.

Step 2: Draw the upper body of Motaro

With the stick figure ready, begin adding volume from the head downward to the junction between the human and horse sections. First, mark the eye and mouth lines, draw the curved rounded horns, and use two short strokes to form the thick neck.

Move to Motaro’s torso and follow the stick figure lines as you add volume. Draw the massive pectoral muscles, defined abdominal muscles, and the contour of the back muscles.

Next, build the powerful arm. Its outline is formed by the following muscle groups and parts:

• The rounded deltoid muscle;
• The upper arm;
• The biceps and triceps;
• The forearm;
• The fist.

The forearm narrows sharply toward the fist. Do not forget the distinctive spike projecting from Motaro’s elbow.

Step 3: Shape the horse body

Add volume to the lower, horse-like section of Motaro’s body. First, draw the torso, noting how strongly it slopes downward and narrows toward the tail. Then move to the legs.

Motaro’s front legs resemble human legs in their general curves, although their dimensions are different. The upper sections narrow toward the knees, while the lower legs have visible calf-like bulges. The hind legs have the bent structure of a horse’s rear legs.

Step 4: Draw Motaro’s facial features

Use the guidelines from the second step to draw Motaro’s facial features. Place the eyes and nose very close together. Make the forehead and chin massive, and draw the ear small and slightly pointed. The eye should look deeply frowning beneath the overhanging brow ridge. Add several wrinkles across the face.

Step 5: Add the mohawk and horns

Draw Motaro’s short mohawk, beginning above the forehead and continuing down the neck. Add small transverse bands to the horns and refine the muscular neck. Motaro had facial stubble in “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation,” so you can also add it by applying the same basic method used when drawing a beard.

Step 6: Refine Motaro’s muscular arm

Refine Motaro’s powerful arm by defining its main muscle groups:

• The rounded deltoid, which forms the shoulder contour and narrows downward;
• The triceps on the back of the upper arm, which appears smaller because of the viewing angle but is actually the largest muscle in this area;
• The large rounded biceps on the front of the upper arm;
• The massive forearm, which appears even larger near the elbow spike but narrows sharply toward the fist.

Step 7: Detail the fighter’s torso muscles

Draw Motaro’s torso muscles. From this angle, the pectorals are the largest and most visible muscles, so pay close attention to their shape. Below them, outline the oblique muscles and abdominal muscles. Near the arm, draw the tense, enlarged latissimus dorsi.

Step 8: Draw Motaro’s decorative belt

Draw the belt fitted around the front of Motaro’s horse body. The pattern may look complicated, but it consists of several clear geometric sections.

Step 9: Refine the fighter’s front legs

Draw Motaro’s front pair of legs. Their curves resemble those of human legs, with defined thighs, knees, and calf muscles. However, the lower legs do not narrow toward the bottom. Instead, they widen into large, rough hooves.

Use a few strokes to define each knee. Add the thigh muscles above the knees and the calf muscles below them. Do not forget the spikes positioned near the hooves.

Step 10: Outline the horse torso

Erase the guidelines from Motaro’s horse torso and refine its outer contours. Draw the lines across the belly, which continue toward the tail. Add the long tooth-like pattern running along the body near the spine.

Step 11: Complete the hind legs

Draw Motaro’s powerful hind legs. These hooves were among his most dangerous weapons in “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3,” where a direct kick could cause severe damage.

Erase the unnecessary guidelines and refine the hind leg contours. Add several strokes inside each thigh to indicate muscle tension, then draw the hooves and the spikes along the legs.

Step 12: Finish drawing Motaro’s pointed tail

Draw Motaro’s tail, another dangerous weapon used by the character in the game. Motaro could also fire projectiles from it.

Refine the tail with smooth, flowing contours. Use short, slightly curved lines to draw the bands across its surface, placing them progressively closer together toward the tip. Finish with a pointed arrowhead-like shape. Motaro’s tail resembles the form used when drawing a classic dragon’s tail.

This tutorial showed you how to draw Motaro from the Mortal Kombat series. Continue with drawing Goro, another powerful fighter with a completely different body.

You can also practice drawing Scorpion or drawing Sub-Zero, two of the most recognizable ninjas in the series. After that, try drawing Reptile to add another classic Mortal Kombat character to your collection.