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How Do You Get Primary Colours?

Published in Color Theory 1 min read

You can't get primary colours by mixing other colours; they are fundamental colours that exist on their own.

Primary colours are the base from which all other colours are derived through mixing. This is the basis of subtractive colour mixing used in paints, inks, and dyes.

Here's a breakdown:

  • Red, Yellow, and Blue: These are the three primary colours in the subtractive colour model (used in painting and printing).

  • Why they're special: They cannot be created by mixing other colours together. This is what defines them as primary.

  • How they create other colours: By mixing primary colours together, you can create secondary colours:

    • Red + Yellow = Orange
    • Yellow + Blue = Green
    • Blue + Red = Violet
  • Tertiary Colours: By mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color, you obtain tertiary colors, such as red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.

In summary, primary colours are the source colours, not the result of mixing. They are foundational in colour theory and essential for creating a wide range of hues.

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