When somebody commissions you to do a caricature of them, it can be like walking a tightrope. The line between mild amusement and offense can be so easily crossed.

This is especially a problem with customers who are lawyers, and particularly, as I have recently found, with ones who are your boss. Further, the problem is enormously amplified in respect of noses… Noses, and the amplification of noses.

Some think there is a connection between long noses and Pinocchio. Apparently Pinocchio and his long nose had something to do with lying.

Why lawyers should be sensitive about that, I have no idea.

However, recently I was asked to de-amplify a lawyer’s nose.

The lawyer happened to be my boss.

It was just too long for a lawyer, apparently.

The moral of the story?

It’s not what you nose but who you nose.