Sorry in anticipation for the slight harshness, but I just want to convey the message:
[image]
[...] I really had no idea what I was going for at all- [...]
when doing figurative art, THIS, is THE problem that often newbies have.
It was the same for me for the first [insert big amount of time here] .
If it is a tree you want to draw, try to find a reference model (better if real, but to start a photo could be fine too) and to render it on your fvourite media (it can be pencil&paper or PA or what_else_you_prefer).
After some times you do this you will FEEL the improvement yourself, and then, benefit of people comments much more.