Fair play to RTE, they've finally gone and done it. They literally have us watching paint dry. #paintingthenation
— Eamon Lowe (@EamonLowe) October 2, 2016'Oscillate Wildly' was on the soundtrack to #paintingthenation. That's how classy a show it was.
— Colm O'Callaghan (@aslinndubh) October 2, 2016Prefer this style of TV competition to X factor-y shows, respect for contestants and no bullying people to cry on camera #paintingthenation
— Ríona Sally Hartman (@RionaSally) October 2, 2016
Twitter was positively ablaze after the first episode of RTÉ's amateur artist competition Painting The Nation - in case you missed it, you can watch the episode in full via RTÉ Player here.
For their inaugural Exhibition Challenge, our part-time Picassos had to offer their unique take on one of Ireland's most scenic locations: Powerscourt Waterfall, in Co. Wicklow. Let's take a look at who made the grade, and who didn't...
Exhibition Challenge winner: DAVID MONAGHAN
Nineteen-year old Wexford man David wowed the judges with his impressionistic take:
Eliminated: KEVIN MCCANN
In a controversial move, renaissance man Kevin became the first contestant to pack up his easel:
The Best Of The Rest - AGNIESZKA RYAN:
LOUISE TREACY:
SINEAD LAWLESS:
SINEAD MCCARTHY:
ALAN RYAN
Fancy a bash yourself? Submit your work to Painting The Nation's Big Picture challenge here.
Painting the Nation, Sundays, 7.30pm, RTÉ One
