Red is a primary color, which means it cannot be created by mixing other colors in traditional color models like RGB (additive, for light) and CMYK (subtractive, for pigments). Therefore, pure red itself cannot be made by combining other colors
. However, in the subtractive color model used in painting and printing, you can create red pigment by mixing:
- Magenta + Yellow = Red
This combination works because magenta absorbs green light and yellow absorbs blue light, so their mix reflects red wavelengths, producing a vibrant red pigment
. In digital color mixing (RGB model), red is a primary light color and is not made by mixing other colors but can be adjusted with green and blue to create other hues. You can create various shades, tints, and tones of red by mixing red with other colors:
- Adding white makes lighter reds like pink or coral.
- Adding black deepens red into burgundy or maroon.
- Adding orange or yellow results in warm reds like vermilion.
- Adding blue or purple produces cooler reds like garnet or wine
In summary:
- You cannot make pure red by mixing other colors.
- Magenta and yellow pigments mixed together can produce red pigment.
- Various shades of red are made by mixing red with other colors to lighten, darken, warm, or cool the hue.
This is consistent with traditional color theory where red is a fundamental primary color
