Hint of colour seen in painting exhibits (5)
I believe the answer is:
tinge
'hint of colour' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in painting exhibits' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'TINGE' is hidden in the letters of 'painting exhibits'.
'seen' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tinge that I've seen before include "Slight but perceptible amount" , "Get in (anag)" , "Suffuse" , "Colour slightly; trace" , "Subdued colour" .)