Cornstalk

Create a new image 450 w x 450 h.  Activate the Paint Brush , click on the "Paint as object" and paint a tree with short stubby branches.  Don't be fussy as you will edit it shortly!

Once you are finished, click the "Paint on object" and you will see "marching ants" surrounding your object.

Go to Edit, Trace Edges, click on Selection Marquee and click OK.  Change the horizontal deform to 2D Object.  In the Layer Manager, delete "Obj-1".

Activate the Edit Path Tool , click on the "Toggle Mode" to see all the editable nodes.

The images to your left show the before and after, with and without the nodes to give you a guideline.

Begin at the bottom of your stalk and pull nodes, add or delete as needed to form a bumping bottom line.

Work up the sides of your stalk creating slight bumps along the way.

When you get to the top of your stalk pull the node handles or each stubby branch to develop a point effect.  Your stubby branches will turn into a spiky looking pineapple top.  No worry as this will be just the base of your project.

Once done, activate the "Path Drawing Tool" to change the color to #F1B601 and add a 2 width black border.

Deselect your object, and change the color to #FED75E.  Now create a 2D long thin rectangle that is nearly as tall as your stalk.  It does not need to be perfect.

Click on edit path object to shape your rectangle along the flow of your stalk as shown in the image to your left.

Changing the horizontal lines of your rectangle to "curve' will make this task much easier as you can just add a node and slide it into place.  Just go for it and create some bumps along the way.

Use the "toggle object" in between placing your nodes to do minor adjustments.

Create a rectangle for the left, the center and the middle of your stalk as shown in the image to your left.

Create a vertical 2D rectangle that goes a little wider than the width of your stalk.  Duplicate it and place above the first vertical rectangle as shown in the image to your left.

Use the edit path to add some curves to your vertical rectangles and give them some flow as shown in the diagram to your left.

Don't forget to save your ufo as you proceed with each step!

Continue to create horizontal 2D rectangles to fill in your cornstalk.

Go to the Layer Manager and drag them below previous rectangles as shown in the diagram to your left.  There is no specific order to drag your rectangles below other rectangles.  It is just to give them a look of being entwined.

Sporadically leave some of your darker stalk background show through.

You can also create 2D rectangles for just the bottom portion of your stalk or vice versa.

Once your stalk is as full as you desire; its time for a few final touches.

Activate the Line & Arrow Tool and set to spline with a 1 width line of black.

Draw lines on some of your more fatter stalk areas.

Also draw a few horizontal lines at the bottom of your stalk and vertical across the middle area.