u/BeneficialGrade8930

This is a quick little lilac I painted and it's not looking how I wanted. Is this a paint quality issue? On the leaves you can see how it kind of skips?

Or is this a paper issue, how it's bleeding on the flower?

OR, is it just bad technique?? Too much water, paint not thick enoigh? That seems most likely but want to confirm, ha.

Supplies are all beginner stuff from Micheals:

The paper is Strathmore 400 series

Brushes are Artists Loft

Paint is Derwent 12 pan travel set

So many people here are posting masterpieces so I'm going to be bold and post my shitty beginner art, ha.

Someone posted that popsicle thing the other day and it was a really good idea so I made something similar with cake. I enjoyed it! I really have no idea what I'm doing, I have had no training and I dont see myself as an artist or painter. I'm just having fun and trying to learn something new.

Any tips on what I could improve on? I start with lighter colors and try to build up to create dimension and the results are.... ok? I dont even know what I'm asking because I don't know enough to know what I don't know!