Understanding Color Theory: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors

Color theory is a framework used to understand how colors interact, combine, and influence perception. The color wheel is a key tool in color theory, organizing colors into primary, secondary, and tertiary categories. Here’s a breakdown: 1. Primary Colors These are the foundational colors that cannot be created by mixing other hues. All other colors derive from these. Traditional (RYB model – used in painting/art): Red Yellow Blue Modern (RGB model – used in digital/light): Red Green Blue 2. Secondary Colors Created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. RYB Model: Orange (Red + Yellow) Green (Yellow + Blue) Purple/Violet (Red + Blue) RGB Model (for light): Cyan (Green + Blue) Magenta (Red + Blue) Yellow (Red + Green) 3. Tertiary Colors These are made by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color, resulting in six intermediate hues. RYB Model Examples: Red-Orange Yellow-Orange Yellow-Green Blue-Green Blue-Purple Red-Purple ...