you can create a image in photoshop, and then import the image into maya, in a way that it will generate a curve for the lines...I cannot remember how its doe...but i know its doable.. ( it might have something to do with paths in photoshop I cant recall truthfully, i just thought it was very interesting when i read about it. )

But once you get the curves, you can use the nurbs tools to loft a surface between the curves, or maybe use the Birail tool , just depending on what your surface looks like and the best method for the geometry you need...Then when done if nessicary you can convert form Nurbs to polys...

G-man