What
Colors
Make

Understanding Color Mixing

Color mixing is all about combining colors to create new shades. If you have ever wondered, "What colors make ...?" understanding color mixing basics can help you figure it out.

There are two main ways to mix colors:

Mixing Light (Additive Mixing)

This method uses light. When you combine red, green, and blue lights, you create different colors. For example, mixing red and green light makes yellow, and blending all three produces white light. This approach is used in digital screens like TVs and computers.

Mixing Pigments (Subtractive Mixing)

This is how paints, inks, and dyes work. The primary colors for pigments are cyan, magenta, and yellow. When you mix these, you can create many shades. For instance, mixing blue and yellow paint results in green. Although mixing all three pigments should ideally yield black, it often turns out dark brown, so black is added in printing, forming the CMYK model.

By learning these color mixing methods, you can better understand what colors make different hues in different mediums. Whether you are painting or designing digitally, knowing how colors blend can help you achieve the right hue.