The subtractive color model describes paint, ink, and similar materials. Mixing pigments makes the result reflect less light because each pigment absorbs particular colors. section 4.1 section 4.1.3
Keep the two color worlds separate:
- Use cyan, magenta, and yellow as the subtractive primary colors. section 4.1.3
- Expect printer ink to use CMY or CMYK, with K representing black. section 4.1.3
- Do not transfer screen-light intuition directly to paint: additive mixtures produce more light, while subtractive mixtures produce less. section 4.1.2 section 4.1.3
Why red and green paint do not make yellow
Red paint absorbs green light, while green paint absorbs red light. Together, the pigments absorb red, green, and blue light instead of producing the yellow expected from mixing colored light. section 4.1.3
Figure 4.7 This illustration shows how paint primary colors relate to light primary colors and which light primary colors are absorbed and reflected by each paint primary color.
Use the comparison diagram to see how paint primaries correspond to light primaries and which colors each pigment absorbs or reflects. section 4.1.3
