Go around a curvy character for painting ground (5)
I believe the answer is:
gesso
'painting ground' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'go around a curvy character' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'a curvy character' becomes 'ess' (I've seen this in another clue).
'go' enclosing 'ess' is 'GESSO'.
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gesso that I've seen before include "Could get you plastered" , "smeared on for starters by artists" , "Artist's plaster" , "Type of plaster" , "Plaster of Paris" .)