Crossword Genius

Animal artist, tip-top (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rat

'animal' is the definition.
(I know that rat is a type of scoundrel)

'artist tip-top' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'tip-top' becomes 't' (top of the word 'tip-').
'ra'+'t'='RAT'

(Other definitions for rat that I've seen before include "that gets out of stricken vessel" , "Abandon" , "Destructive rodent" , "Inform" , "Plague-carrying rodent" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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