I don't have much bonsai experience, especially not wiring, so I can't say anything about whether your wiring is "correct."
But I have a couple suggestions: as a beginner, your primary focus should be on learning how to keep your trees in little pots alive and healthy. It is not always easy, not being a very natural way for a tree to grow. And second, before you change anything, do some reading on the art of bonsai and/or find a local bonsai club.
It looks like whoever did the wiring was aiming for a semi-cascade or maybe eventually cascade style.
https://www.bonsaitreegardens.com/bonsai ... de-styles/
semi-cascade, the tip of the tree does not go lower than the base of the pot. Cascade style the branches will eventually start at or below the lip of the pot and the tip will be well below the base of the pot.
Look for some inspiration photos to give you an idea of what you are aiming for.
cascade ficus
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_R0UJbZofq54/T ... nsai_2.jpg
https://eschmidtpabonsai.files.wordpress ... c03911.jpg
natal plum cascade bonsai, noted as with 20 years of training.
https://www.bonsaitrees.com/inventorypics/sss-017.jpg
semi-cascade Chinese elm
re "the tree looks tortured." The image that the bonsai artist is usually going for is of a miniature version of a mature/ old tree that has been through the vicissitudes of nature. Think of a tree growing out of the rocks on a cliff side or a wind swept tree by the seashore.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... _Reyes.jpg
https://treeonline.files.wordpress.com/2 ... stree1.jpg
look around you in nature for inspiration!