Day 1 - The Vale of Usk

As you follow the meandering River Usk you'll pass farm houses and barns, small communities and historic sites - many of which can be a fabulous focus for some sketching.

Start off at Raglan Castle, said to be "the grandest castle ever built by a Welshman". There are lots of interesting architectural details and the views from the towers are stunning.

Travel to Usk, the town of flowers, with its annual open garden festival. The floral displays are always an inspiration, and you can visit the privately owned Usk Castle, which overlooks the town. The bridge that crosses river is also a stunning feature.

Usk is a great lunch stop.

Continue south to the Roman Legionary Fortress of Caerleon, a compact town with Roman Baths, museum, amphitheatre and excavated barracks to explore. There's also the stunning St Cadoc's Church and The Priory Hotel, which dates back to 1180, with stunning historic features to sketch.

The River Usk then flows through the city of Newport. Sometimes the river seems to be all mud - this is because the estuary has the second-largest tidal range in the world - 15 metres.

There's another castle, Newport Castle, on the river bank (with an unusual waterdock), lots of bridges with views along the river, the most dramatic being the Newport Transporter Bridge, with is "flying gondola" built in 1906 to transport workers across the river without hindering the ships.

Day 2 - Along the coast

Cardiff Bay is a great starting point. A walk around the Bay will take you past a host of artworks - from an Enormous Crocodile (remembering Roald Dahl) to Merchant Seafarers' War Memorial.

Move onto Penarth, with it's Pier Pavilion on the coast, marina facing Cardiff, and up the hill, a Victorian town, with lots of original features to inspire. Penarth is a great coffee stop.

Take the coast road, calling at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Sully and onto Barry Island - the home of "Gavin and Stacey", with colourful beach huts and traditional beachside shops, arcades and gardens - all offering inspiration.

Follow the coast and you'll come to the Heritage Coastline, a 14 mile stretch of unspoilt, natural coastline with simply breath taking scenery. Stunning beaches are overlooked by dramatic clifftops; it's an area rich in geology and unforgettable wildlife, perfect for exploring and capturing in paint or photos. Stop at Nash Lighthouse to spot the areas wildlife and take in the views - this video will give you a taste of what you can enjoy.

End your day at Dunraven Bay, great for fossil hunting, and a visit to Ogmore Castle - take a walk across stepping stones across the river.

Day 3 - Over the hills

Coal mining communities were built along the valley floors, near to the mines. So, the main road network follows the valley floors - and the views from the hills are rarely seen. Day 3 will take you across a few hills to enjoy the views.

Starting at Pontypridd, travel north past A Welsh Coal Mining Experience: Rhondda Heritage Park, Porth and through the Rhondda Fawr valley - famed for mining coal that powered ships across the world. You will see traditional terraced houses, and communities with shops, cafes and entertainment stops, such as the Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy. Take the Bwlch y Clawdd Road (A4061) past Cwmparc to see stunning views.

Retrace the route and continue north through Treherbert to the head of this busy valley - you can take a walk to Penpych Waterfall if you like. Continue on the steep road, called the Rhigos Road, and you'll enjoy stunning views towards Cardiff and as you cross the summit, into the Brecon Beacons. You might even be lucky and see visitors flying across Llyn Fawr at Zip World Tower.

For some more stunning views make your way to Merthyr Tydfil. Cyfarthfa Castle was built by the ironmaster William Crawshay, to watch over his iron empire - which means there are stunning views across the town.

Make your way to the Brecon Mountain Railway - hop on a train to see stunning views across Pontsticill Reservoir and into the Brecon Beacons. From Pant station you can also take a walk across Morlais Golf Club to the remains of Morlais Castle, built in around 1270 by Gilbert de Clare, to keep control of disputed land.

Day 4 - Through the valleys

Start in Abergavenny, the traditional market town on the edge of the South Wales Valleys, maybe visit The Art Shop, or The Frogmore Street Gallery, before heading west along A465. Turn into the Clydach Gorge - call at Clydach Ironworks which was built in 1790. This is a great area for a walk with the fast flowing river, industrial remains (such as the wonderful ironbridge on the way into the ironworks), and ancient beech woodlands and native plants such as the Bird's-nest orchid - great to photograph or sketch.

Move onto Cwmtillery, a former mining community above Abertillery, great for a walk around the lakes and discovering wildlife. Take a look at a map and you will be surprised how close Blaenavon is across the hills.

Move south to Six Bells, another mining community, and visit the Guardian, a memorial to 45 miners who died in the 1960 disaster. This imposing monument overlooks the reclaimed mine.

Continue south on the A467, you will pass many industrial communities, artworks and sites, including the Navigation Colliery with its striking red brick buildings.

Turn onto the A472, and head for Parc Penallta, another country park created from a mine. This one has at its heart an observatory with views across the valleys, and an amazing 200m long land art in the form of "Sultan the Pit Pony", a reminder of the horses that spent their lives underground moving trams of coal.

You might like to add galleries and craft shops to your visit - so here are some suggestions:

• The National Museum Cardiff has the best collection of Impressionist paintings in Europe, as well as lots of other paintings and artworks - both modern and historic.
• Cyfarthfa Castle and Art Galley has an amazing collection of Welsh Contemporary paintings.
• Chepstow Museum has a display of 18th and 19th century paintings and prints by well known artists and visitors inspired by the beautiful Wye Valley.
• Nantgarw China Works highlights to skills and creativity of the Pardoe family.
• Craft in the Bay, Cardiff has a changing exhibition programme and sells creations by some of Wales best crafts makers - from jewellery to prints, ceramics to textiles.
• The Abergavenny Art Shop is a delight for all painters - everything that you might want from paints to brushes, as well as fascinating exhibitions.
• Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre in Cwmbran has a changing programme of exhibitions featuring new and well established artists.
• Ffotogallery is the place to see all sorts of photography.

There are also lots of craft galleries across the area, contact the Southern Wales for suggestions near to places you already plan to visit.