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

Color Wheel Relationships

Complementary Colors: Opposite on the wheel (e.g., Red & Green).
Analogous Colors: Adjacent hues (e.g., Blue, Blue-Green, Green).
Triadic Colors: Three evenly spaced colors (e.g., Red, Yellow, Blue).

Practical Applications

Art/Design: Mixing paints, creating harmony/contrast.
Marketing: Colors evoke emotions (e.g., red for excitement).
Digital Media: RGB for screens, CMYK for print.