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Primary Colors of Light and Pigment - Learn.

This document discusses color models and how humans perceive color. It explains that there are two primary color models: (1) the additive light color model of red, green and blue which is used for light-based displays, and (2) the subtractive pigment color model of cyan, magenta and yellow which is used for printed materials and paints. The document provides details on how each color model works based on the absorption and reflection of different light wavelengths by pigments and the human eye.

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munzirstudio
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81 views

Primary Colors of Light and Pigment - Learn.

This document discusses color models and how humans perceive color. It explains that there are two primary color models: (1) the additive light color model of red, green and blue which is used for light-based displays, and (2) the subtractive pigment color model of cyan, magenta and yellow which is used for printed materials and paints. The document provides details on how each color model works based on the absorption and reflection of different light wavelengths by pigments and the human eye.

Uploaded by

munzirstudio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Primary Colors of Light and

Pigment
First Things First: How We See Color

The inner surfaces of your eyes contain


photoreceptors—specialized cells that are sensitive to
light and relay messages to your brain. There are two
types of photoreceptors: cones (which are sensitive to
color) and rods (which are more sensitive to intensity).
You are able to “see” an object when light from the
object enters your eyes and strikes these
photoreceptors.

Some objects are luminous and give off their own light;
all other objects can only be seen if they reflect light
into your eyes. However, humans can only see visible
light, a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum
(which also includes non-visible radio waves, infrared
light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays). In
terms of wavelengths, visible light ranges from about
400 nm to 700 nm.

Different wavelengths of light are perceived as


different colors. For example, light with a wavelength
of about 400 nm is seen as violet, and light with a
wavelength of about 700 nm is seen as red. However,
it is not typical to see light of a single wavelength. You
are able to perceive all colors because there are three
sets of cones in your eyes—one set that is most
sensitive to red light, another that is most sensitive to
green light, and a third that is most sensitive to blue
light.

Source: Harvard—Smithsonian Center for


Astrophysics
This media asset was adapted from Shedding Light on
Science

Primary Colors
This is where color can get a little confusing for some
folks. There are two basic color models that art and
design students need to learn in order to have an expert
command over color, whether doing print publications in
graphic design or combining pigment for printing. These
two color models are:

1. Light Color Primaries (Red, Green, Blue)


2. Pigment Color Primaries (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)

Some of you might be scratching your heads, asking,


“Where is the Blue, Red, and Yellow model?” The artist
color wheel (based in blue, red, and yellow) predates
modern science and was discovered by Newton’s prism
experiments. Scientifically, this does not adequately
address the true range of spectral color. Upon discovering
more about spectral color and how wavelengths work
with surfaces (reflection/absorption) and the human eye,
the blue-red-yellow model is shifting to the cyan-
magenta-yellow model. We DO, however, still use the RBY
model for mixing paints, and it is the most common color
wheel students will typically find in art stores.

Primary Color Models

Additive (Light) Color Primaries

Red, green, and blue are the primary colors of light


—they can be combined in different proportions to
make all other colors. For example, red light and green
light added together are seen as yellow light. This
additive color system is used by light sources, such
as televisions and computer monitors, to create a wide
range of colors. When different proportions of red,
green, and blue light enter your eye, your brain is able
to interpret the different combinations as different
colors.
Source: Harvard—Smithsonian Center for
Astrophysics
This media asset was adapted from Shedding Light on
Science

Additive (Light) Cheat Sheet

Color is transmitted through transparent media.


All colors added together = white.
The absence of light = true black.
Because computer graphics, websites, and other
digital presentations are projected/transmitted with
light, screen-targeted graphics should be saved in
this color model, or “RGB Mode.”
IMPORTANT: Note that when RGB’s primaries are
mixed evenly that they create the secondary
colors of our next color model, CMY (cyan,
magenta, and yellow)!

Subtractive (Pigment) Color Primaries

However, there is another set of primary colors with


which you may be more familiar. The primary colors of
pigment (also known as subtractive primaries) are
used when producing colors from reflected light; for
example, when mixing paint or using a color printer.
The primary colors of pigment are magenta,
yellow, and cyan (commonly simplified as red,
yellow, and blue).
Pigments are chemicals that absorb selective
wavelengths—they prevent certain wavelengths of
light from being transmitted or reflected. Because
paints contain pigments, when white light (which
is composed of red, green, and blue light) shines
on colored paint, only some of the wavelengths of
light are reflected. For example, cyan paint absorbs
red light but reflects blue and green light; yellow paint
absorbs blue light but reflects red and green light. If
cyan paint is mixed with yellow paint, you see green
paint because both red and blue light are absorbed
and only green light is reflected.

Source: Harvard—Smithsonian Center for


Astrophysics
This media asset was adapted from Shedding Light on
Science

Subtractive (Pigment) Cheat Sheet

These primaries are ultimately derived from the RGB


model as secondary colors. The main reason they
are promoted to having their own color model is
because it is from CMY that we can create all
other printable colors. Remember that, ultimately,
without the existence of RGB light wavelengths, we
would see nothing.
Color is absorbed by and reflected off of media.
Because these colors are achieved via reflection, we
assume a pure white ground as the base filter for
pure colors.
All colors added together = near black.
To achieve true black, pure black must be added,
thus giving us the CMYK model (K=black). This is the
standard color model for most printing, thus graphics
for print are typically prepared in “CMYK Mode.”
While most printers recognize this model as the
standard pigment model, the traditional artist Color
Wheel substitutes Blue as the Cyan primary and Red
as the Magenta primary, resulting in slightly different
secondary and tertiary results.

NOTICE: The colors in RGB appear slightly more brilliant


than in CMYK. This can be attributed to the difference
between the mode of transmitting light vs.
absorbing/reflecting light off of surfaces.

Watch This Demo For a Better


Understanding

>>>>>> Demo on Light and Pigment Primaries


<<<<<<

Extra:

***Download the PDF diagram and explanation of the


Additive and Subtractive Color Models here.

Next Lesson >>

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