Crossword Genius

Female leaving attractive artwork (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

etching

'artwork' is the definition.
(type of artwork)

'female leaving attractive' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'leaving' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'attractive' becomes 'fetching' (similar in meaning).
'fetching' with 'f' taken away is 'ETCHING'.

(Other definitions for etching that I've seen before include "Type of print" , "Print produced from an engraved plate" , "Drawing on metal with acid" , "Engraved artwork" , "graven image" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app