This was done using a multi-dimensional approach. I found a color photo of an autumn scene that I took several years ago and positioned it on my table with a few leaves from outside, and made my drawing from this arrangement.
The reason I did the drawing in graphite pencil instead of color was that it was an illustration that was published in black and white in the newspaper that I work for. It was used as an illustration on a page of poetry that we collected from our readers.
The mat color for the reproductions of "Autumn Snapshot" is Extra Light Grey. Ready for an 11x14 frame. The original drawing is also available for sale in a black 11x14 frame. It is double-matted... the outer mat is grey and the inner mat is black.