What kind of color mixing results in secondary colors?

Secondary colors are created through the process of subtractive mixing, where primary colors are combined. In the context of color theory, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. When two of these primary colors are mixed together in equal parts, the resulting colors are orange, green, and purple—these are the secondary colors.

Subtractive mixing is foundational in various applications, including painting and color printing, where pigments absorb (subtract) certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. This method allows for a broad palette of colors through the combination of various pigments.

In contrast, additive mixing involves combining colored lights, which results in different outcomes, such as white light when all colors are combined. Complementary mixing refers to the pairing of colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel, which typically creates contrast rather than secondary colors. Monochromatic mixing involves varying the saturation or brightness of a single color rather than combining different colors to create new ones.