The Truth About Primary Colors

You probably learned in elementary school that the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. What if I tell you that it's not exactly right?

The truth is that there are two categories of primary colors. The additive and subtractive colors categories. Let me explain in a simple and basic way.

The additive and subtractive systems are interconnected by how objects absorb and reflect light.

When you paint something black, you subtract light by combining cyan, magenta, and yellow.

Imagine you have a white paper...

The paper reflects white, meaning all the combined primary light colors (RGB) are being reflected. Once you start to add some cyan paint to your paper, you subtract some of that white light, and that area gets darker. If you keep subtracting with magenta and yellow on top of it, you will end up making black paint and subtracting all the white from that area of the paper.

Cyan + Magenta = Blue

Magenta + Yellow = Red

Yellow + Cyan = Green

That’s the truth about the primary colors, simply and truthfully.

The additive colors correspond to light. This was discovered by Isaac Newton when realizing that red, green, and blue rays of light were the colors needed to create a clear white light. (RGB) That is the system used in your TV, screen computer, and all the screen devices used today.

The subtractive colors correspond to ink or paint. These are the primary colors needed for printing. Cyan, magenta, and yellow are the bases for all colors you see in your magazines, books, posters, etc. This system is used on your home printer. (CMYK)