Crossword Genius

Do they keep the artist well lubricated? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oils

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'do they keep the artist' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.

'well lubricated?' is the wordplay.
'well' becomes 'oil well' (oil well is a kind of well).
'lubricated?' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'oil'+'s'='OILS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oils that I've seen before include "Soil, oddly, used by painters" , "Well-produced" , "landscapes, perhaps" , "Liquids for frying" , "Painting medium" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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