I don't think you have to apologies for looking out for compliments, and don't feel that there is anything bad about that. That is already very brave that you decided to show work in progress, what tells me that you have a confidence, and you know what you still have to do to finish it.
For me as one artist, it is always a big support through the compliments, not just comments, comments are even better as they can help to improve. We all need that, as most of the time it is very autistic and isolated work, and even though that one can be fully confident of capabilities and have one established careear that none will doubt, for me after 25 years, I still feel when new work is approaching I feel like a total beginner and I need all that too, comments, support, compliments etc ... And sure I am picking those that I want to ask, so I am not asking those that are always just looking for bad things, as that is not realistic, and that will put me down too, what I don't need at the start of new project. I can ask them too at the end for final bits, but I think it is normal that we are looking and asking for support, as artistic work is quite emotional, and we need to feel safe at that ground.
Also yes through Lynda you can learn a lot in digital design, web publishing filmmaking illustration etc ...
For the jobs and all that, it is all actually in our hands, and it is good to improve those skills that you can manage successfully, so that you can have a craft in your hands. For example I am not good in drawing and painting, but due to that I mastered collage, and from that came my passion to stop motion so I mastered that to and did some incredible work with that + thanks to Lynda on line tutorials, and on the other side small project budgets, I had to learn how to work with all digital tools in all visual arts, film making and design professionally, so that I can finish my films books etc.
In our profession actually we have always be ready to learn new things and to look for work and create one by our self and than sell it on the markets or through agents and galleries .. it always depend what you will chose as a main focus - art or applied art, and while still in school, it is good opportunity to use time and resources and support to expand your knowledge and to start to think in more open direction asking more expirienced artists and professors. :)
hope this helped a bit! And don't worry, I think that people will not comment anything that for them don't look good, so I am glad the others also see the good work in your painting!
