Secondary color

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Color diagram Charles Hayter

RGB color wheel

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SubtractiveColorMixingII

Color star-en (tertiary names)

Secondary colors are colors formed by the mixture of two primary colors in equal parts. They are a fundamental concept in the field of color theory, which is a guide to color mixing and the visual effects of specific color combinations. Secondary colors depend on the color model being used. In the traditional RYB color model (red, yellow, blue), used in art and design education, the secondary colors are orange, green, and purple (or violet). These are created by mixing the primary colors red and yellow to make orange, red and blue to make purple, and blue and yellow to make green.

In the RGB color model (red, green, blue), used for color displays on televisions and computers, the secondary colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. This is because the RGB model is an additive color model, where colors are created by combining light of these three colors. Mixing red and green light makes yellow, green and blue light makes cyan, and blue and red light makes magenta.

The CMYK color model (cyan, magenta, yellow, and key/black), used in color printing, also considers cyan, magenta, and yellow as secondary colors, but in this context, they are formed by subtracting one of the primary colors from white light. For example, cyan is produced by subtracting red from white light, magenta by subtracting green, and yellow by subtracting blue.

Understanding secondary colors is crucial for various fields, including art, design, fashion, and printing. It helps in creating aesthetically pleasing designs, artworks, and combinations that are visually stimulating and convey the desired message or emotion.

Mixing Secondary Colors

To mix secondary colors, one must combine equal parts of two primary colors:

- **Orange**: Mix equal parts of red and yellow. - **Green**: Mix equal parts of blue and yellow. - **Purple (Violet)**: Mix equal parts of red and blue.

In digital or printed media, secondary colors are created differently depending on the color model (RGB or CMYK) being used.

Usage and Significance

Secondary colors play a significant role in color harmony and color psychology, influencing how colors are perceived and interpreted in various contexts. For example, green is often associated with nature and tranquility, orange can evoke feelings of excitement or enthusiasm, and purple might be seen as luxurious or mysterious.

See Also

• Primary colors
• Tertiary colors
• Color wheel
• Color theory