Object Of My Frustration

Yesterday I had just spent an hour or so working on some mountains in a painting when suddenly the part of the easel that holds the bottom of the painting slid right down to the floor.  Naturally the painting went flying and just as naturally (Murphys Law) it landed face down.  I should mention that I was painting out on the patio where the floor is concrete, not tile and collects all the dust, etc. that happens to blow around.  There was a large amount of vocabulary used that is very unladylike and Roy came out to see what was going on.
I explained and he examined the parts to find that some screws had come loose and another had come right out.  Screws that had just been tightened maybe a month ago!
He repaired it for me and also did some preventative repairs on some things that were just put together with small air gun nails (useless things).  While doing this he jokingly mentioned that mountains are supposed to have sand and rocks on them.  Hmmm, sorry hon, not funny right now; although later it was.  I managed to brush off most of the grit with a clean, dry brush without smudging the mountain colour into the sky colour and continued on with my mess.
We had bought this easel in about 2007 when we were both taking "lessons" at the Casa de la Cultura.  Roy didn't go for long; but I continued with it twice a week from about September to June that year.  There was an instructor and she was there to help you if you got stuck but there were no actual lessons.  It was more like a place for people to come and paint.  I enjoyed the interaction with others with the same interest and it was probably good for my Spanish too; but I needed and still need actual lessons.  I have never had any type of art lessons even in school and definitely need more than the YouTube videos that I am watching/learning from right now.  I need someone to tell and show me where I am going wrong and how to do things properly.

This is the object of my frustration.  It is a poor design, never buy one like it.

Anyway after the easel was repaired I did my first ever ocean wave with a curl and foam.  I pretty much messed up the end of the wave (right hand side); but I left it to dry and maybe I will paint over it or try and repair it later.  The majority of my paintings get painted over as they are not good and not worthwhile saving to take up space.  I am after all just practicing and trying to learn.  I also finished my first attempt at a beach picture, again not happy with it.
I guess what I need is an honest critic, Roy is too nice and yesterday 2 of the neighbors were watching me paint as they took a break from their building work.  They were also very nice, which is fine; but what I need is someone to be honest with me and tell me where I am going wrong or maybe just tell me to put down the brushes and step away from the easel permanently, lol.  Anyway, I do enjoy mucking about with it even if I am not happy with the results.
Gloria keeps asking to see some of the results of my messing about so I have decided to be brave (read idiotic here), and post a couple of them.  Remember, these are first attempts at waves and beach sand, so be prepared to see a train wreck lol.