1. Additive & Subtractive Digital Color

2. Additive & Subtractive Color Theory
We have two basic systems for dealing with color - additive and subtractive.
As designers, we work with these every day.
Primary colors are the colors that all other colors are created from.

3. Additive Color Theory
Additive color theory deals with the emission of light.
The Primary colors for an additive system are Red, Green & Blue (RGB).

4. Additive Color Theory

5. Additive Summary
The computer screen is an additive color device. It uses colored light (Red, Green & Blue) to display colors.
Light is projected to our eye in various amounts and mixtures of color.
Adding light makes things lighter, brighter, whiter.

6. Subtractive Color Theory
Pigment Paint Mixing
Subtractive color theory deals with absorption of light.
The Primary colors for a subtractive system are Red, Yellow & Blue (RYB) when working with pigments in paint.

7. Subtractive Color Theory
Print Press Dot Screen Mixing
The Primary colors for a subtractive system used in the printing industry are Cyan, Magenta & Yellow (CMY).
The dot screens are divided in to 3 films that have variable dots depending on image tones that blend to create other colors in the visible spectrum on the printing press.
The addition of a 4th dot screen - Black (K) punches up the darker tones in the final print image. +

8. Subtractive Color Theory
Paint Mixing

9. Paint Mixing & Print Dot Screen Mixing
Subtractive Summary
Paint Mixing & Print Dot Screen Mixing
The pigment in the paint on our walls, in the wallpaper, dyes in our clothes, printed images etc. are subtractive color.
Part of the light is absorbed and only a portion of it is reflected. We perceive the reflected portion as a color.
Subtracting light makes things blacker.
Primary Paint Pigments
Primary Print Pigments / +

10. Additive & Subtractive
Additive color (emission of light)
Light based
Primary colors are Red, Green & Blue (RGB)
When mixed together, the three primaries create white (light)
Subtractive (absorption of light)
Pigment based - Paint Mixing
Primary colors are Red, Yellow & Blue (RYB)
When mixed together, the three primaries create “black”.
Pigment based – Printing Press Dot Screen Mixing
Primary colors are Cyan, Magenta & Yellow (CMY)

11. ADDITIVE
COLOR WHEEL
SUBTRACTIVE
COLOR WHEEL

12. ADDITIVE
COLOR WHEEL
SUBTRACTIVE
COLOR WHEEL

13. Warm-Cool Colors Warm colors radiate Warm colors advance
Cool colors soften
Cool colors recede

14. Prism Bending Light Waves
White light from sun passes through prism & bends at different angles. The different colors separate according to each color’s wavelength
White
Light
Prism
Color Separates based on each wavelength
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet

15. Absorption & Reflection: the way it works.
Light rays
Reflected Light to the Eye
(Red in this example)
R O Y G B V
RED Object
All other
colors
absorbed

16. Absorption and Reflection: the way it works.
Light rays
Reflected light to the eye
(all colors = white)
R O Y G B V
White Object

17. Absorption and Reflection: the way it works.
Light rays (subtracted)
No light reflected to the eye
R O Y G B V
Black Object
All colors absorbed