Clue: Bit of slap and tickle starts to arouse my susÂ­picions about artist (7)
Answer: MASCARA
Explanation: Definition: Bit of slap
"slap" meaning make-up
 "tickle" is an anagrind for the starting letters of '**A**[rouse] **M**[y] **S**[uspicions]'; plus **CA**=circa="about"; plus **R**[oyal] **A**[cademician]="artist"