There are a few simple rules of the order to use when brushing a stroke:

  1. Horizontal strokes are written from left to right and are parallel.
  2. Vertical strokes are written from top to bottom.
  3. Hook strokes run from top left to bottom left or bottom right.
  4. Brushing of characters generally proceeds from top to bottom.
  5. Brushing of characters generally proceeds from left to right.

Then there a number of other principles:

  • When strokes cross each other, horizontal strokes usually precede vertical strokes.
  • In some circumstances the vertical stroke does precede the horizontal stroke.
  • Centre strokes are written first and then the left and right strokes if the left and right strokes do not exceed two strokes each.
  • Outside frames first, but bottom closure is last.
  • Vertical strokes drawn through the centre are written last.
  • Right to left diagonal strokes precede left to right.
  • Strokes which cut through the middle of a character are written last.
  • Characters should be of the same size.