Subtractive Theory of Color
Introduction
Illustrators and painters use pigments to produce color and color
combinations. This is known as the subtractive theory of color.
Subtractive
In the subtractive theory of color, color is produced by pigment or
theory of color
combinations of pigment. The three primary colors of the subtractive theory
of color are red, yellow, and blue. Combining any two primaries produces
secondary, and combining a secondary and a primary color produces a
tertiary color. Combining all three primaries results in a grey or muddy
brown mixture.
Primary colors
The primary colors in the subtractive theory of color are red, yellow, and
blue. These colors are called primary because they cannot be produced by
combining any other color. They are the basis on which all other colors are
created.
Figure 2-8 shows the primary colors of the subtractive theory of color.
Figure 2-8.—Primary colors of the subtractive theory of color.
Continued on next page
2-10
