Crossword Genius

Unpaid assistant sketching thus? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

freehand

'sketching thus?' is the definition.
(as in drawing or sketching freehand)

'unpaid assistant' is the wordplay.
'unpaid' becomes 'free' (similar in meaning).
'assistant' becomes 'hand' (hand can mean a worker or employee).
'free'+'hand'='FREEHAND'

(Other definitions for freehand that I've seen before include "Ignoring ruler, perhaps" , "Without drawing aids" , "Drawn naturally" , "drawn in the normal way" , "given to plenipotentiary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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