Go after model, painter backing his ability? (8)
I believe the answer is:
artistry
'go after model' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'painter backing his ability?' is the wordplay.
'painter' becomes 'artist' (painter is an example).
'backing' says the letters should be written backwards.
'his ability?' becomes 'yr' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'yr' backwards is 'ry'.
'artist'+'ry'='ARTISTRY'
(Other definitions for artistry that I've seen before include "poetic skill" , "Performer's skill" , "Creative workmanship" , "Virtuosity - craftsmanship" , "great skill" .)