Drawing Beyond Lines

Below is the first of many graphics of the Orchard Heroes that I've been working on. Sometimes, what's considered basic knowledge to most artists can be like an awakening to someone like me with no artistic background or training. I've recently discovered how great things look without the restricting black outlines after I started playing around on Illustrator. I felt like I had discovered something awesome until I started to realize that a lot of art out there avoid black outlines. Either way, I'm kind of eager to see how other designs turn out with this new discovery.
-GH