The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word ARTIST
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
R
T
I
S
T
More clues leading to the result ARTIST
- Actor perhaps at first welcoming resistance
- Drawer of some of chart is thorough
- Bacon, for example, sent back in restaurants I traduced
- Performer appearing in Hobart is Tasmanian
- Performer's skill is evident at the end
- Shakespeare’s to be second person, first could be Francis Bacon
- Performer in cart is terrific
- Arab is enthralled by Times expert
- Initially without force, elevating King David, for example
- Painter skips first part — it’s complicated
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Actor perhaps" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case actor perhaps = artist.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ARTIST mean?
ARTIST noun- A person who creates art.
- A person who is skilled at some activity.
- A recording artist.
- Artistic.