Primaariväreillä

Primaariväreillä, often translated as primary colors, are a set of colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. These colors are considered fundamental in color theory and form the basis for creating a wider spectrum of colors through additive or subtractive mixing processes.

In subtractive color mixing, which is used in pigments and printing, the primary colors are typically cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY). When these colors are combined, they absorb light. Mixing all three subtractive primaries in equal proportions theoretically results in black. The traditional primary colors taught in art classes for pigment mixing are red, yellow, and blue (RYB), which is a historical model that has limitations compared to the CMY model.

In additive color mixing, used with light, such as on computer screens and televisions, the primary colors are red, green, and blue (RGB). Mixing these colors adds light. Combining red, green, and blue light in equal intensities produces white light. Any color visible on a display screen is a result of varying combinations of these three primary colors. The concept of primary colors is crucial for understanding color perception, artistic techniques, and technological applications involving color reproduction.