I don’t know what I did wrong

So this is my first afghan/graphic (I don’t really know what it’s called). I watched a couple tutorials and read a few tips and I felt ready to tackle this project.

However, the stitches look… wonky? They’re not smooth, but rather botchy in some places. Like the goose’s outline isn’t round or straight or whatever, but instead there’s colors that peak through here and there.

The back is filled with knots. I know it is tipically done so that the yarn is dragged around the back and you end up with a bunch of flat strings instead of bulky knots. But I read somewhere that someone recommended doing it this way to prevent the color showing through when yarning over the little ends and I thought to do it this way. Maybe it was when tying the knots that I pulled a bit hard and that’s why some colors shows through?

I really have no idea but I’m so sad it turned out this way. I’m so ready to try again but I wanted to ask for opinions to make sure I don’t mess it up again.