I've noticed that most of the activities in 'Keys to

>>2485636

>Should one learn how to simply measure and draw contours/negative space before constructing?

yes

Keys to Drawing (and Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, which is similar) is about learning to draw what you see as literally as possible. Fun With A Pencil is more about learning to draw from imagination.

>Should one learn how to simply measure and draw contours/negative space before constructing?
No and disregard >>2485642
Drawing is not gated process, rather, it is holistic, and you should be learning all fundamentals as simultaneously as you can. The best course of action is to do exercises in both books within the same time frame.

>>2485686
Agreed, many things you will learn will seem paradoxical, but learning from various teachers/methods/books will help round out your skills. You will eventually keep what works and dispose what does not

>>2485636
Looking at contours and negative space works the best when you have a reference to work from (such as when you're life drawing)

You construct when you build something purely out of your head.

Most of the time when you're not doing a pure study you'd be using a little bit of both, and using references to aid your construction.