The outline of a character can appear to be a solid, completed structure; however, every character is created incrementally rather than in one instant. By applying correct stroke order, the hand follows a designated course, which prevents the brush from skipping across the grid and leaving characters packed inside the page inappropriately. For novices, it is vital to be aware of the stroke order since it influences the position, weight and direction of the subsequent strokes.
Stroke order is not merely memorizing a set of rules, but rather a means of organizing the brush in a way that makes the composition balanced. For instance, a horizontal stroke applied later might cut across an entire character abruptly. Likewise, when the first character in a character group is a vertical stroke, the rest of the character tends to tilt. A consistent stroke order facilitates the correct arrangement of the character.
Look at the model character for a few seconds before you start to copy it. Observe the shape of the character; which strokes seem to form its structure, what are the minor details in between, and how is the blank space between each character arranged. Then write the character slowly, according to stroke order found in the model character or the learning material. This way, your hand does not need to take any guesswork and turn calligraphy into an exercise of tracing the character from the outside.
Novices may find themselves overwriting the character because they find the character familiar and therefore they tend to overthink. A simple dot might be considered insignificant, for example. However, a misplaced dot, if it’s not the first one, it can disrupt the flow. Stroke order will instruct how to treat all strokes as if the dots are essential. It is a method for the brush tip to have a purpose, and to know the destination, when it arrives at the end of a stroke, instead of merely filling in the spaces.
When practicing a character, try writing that same character one time on every character on a grid paper page. Next, take a break and start again on that character. Maintain the same stroke order and change one small thing, such as the initial horizontal stroke to a thin stroke or leave more space before the second vertical stroke. This way you maintain the character on which you are practicing, and the changes that you make do not have to be too extreme, or you will end up being confused as to whether the character is getting better or not due to your new stroke order, pressure, load of ink or spacing.
In addition, stroke order also affects the ink flow. By pausing too long between strokes, the ink may dry, leaving insufficient ink to complete the character. Conversely, if you do not give yourself enough time, the wet stroke may run and create unbalanced strokes. A consistent stroke order can create a calming pace during a calligraphy session. First, fill your brush, make a test mark, and then go ahead and execute the strokes in order. After you have completed the character, examine it to see how it turns out once the ink has dried.
When examining your work, ask not only if it resembles the model but whether the stroke order seemed intuitive. Did one stroke dictate the next by leaving it in a tight spot? Did you have to manipulate the brush unnecessarily to force a character in because you didn’t know the stroke order? Was there enough room to work the last character after it? By considering your work through this lens, stroke order is no longer a concept that is detached from the practical, but rather one that you can apply on a daily basis as you continue to expand your knowledge of the character.