Secondary color facts for kids

Secondary colors are special colors that you get when you mix two primary colors together. Primary colors are the basic ones that cannot be made by mixing other colors. When you combine them, you create a whole new set of colors called secondary colors. These colors are important in art, design, and even how we see the world around us!

What Are Secondary Colors?

Secondary colors are created by combining any two of the three primary colors. The specific secondary colors depend on the color model you are using. There are two main color models we often talk about:

• RYB (Red, Yellow, Blue): This is the traditional model used by artists for mixing paints and pigments.
• RGB (Red, Green, Blue): This model is used for mixing light, like on computer screens, TVs, and stage lights.

How We Mix Colors

Understanding how secondary colors are made helps us see how different color systems work. Whether you are mixing paints or light, the idea is the same: combine two primary colors to get a new secondary color.

RYB Color Model

The RYB color model is what most people learn about first, especially in art class. In this system, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. When you mix these pigments, you get the following secondary colors:

• Orange: You get orange when you mix red and yellow together. Think of the color of a pumpkin or a sunset!
• Green: You get green when you mix yellow and blue. This is the color of grass and leaves.
• Purple: You get purple when you mix red and blue. This color can be seen in grapes or some flowers.

These three secondary colors (orange, green, and purple) are often called OGP.

RGB Color Model

The RGB color model is used for light, like the colors you see on your phone, computer, or TV screen. In this system, the primary colors are red, green, and blue. When you mix these colors of light, you get different secondary colors:

• Yellow: You get yellow when you mix red light and green light.
• Cyan: You get cyan when you mix green light and blue light. Cyan is a bright blue-green color.
• Magenta: You get magenta when you mix red light and blue light. Magenta is a bright pink-purple color.

These three secondary colors (yellow, cyan, and magenta) are often called CMY. When you add black (K) for printing, it becomes CMYK, which is used in color printers.

What About Tertiary Colors?

When you mix a secondary color with a primary color next to it on a color wheel, you create a tertiary color. These colors have names like red-orange, yellow-green, or blue-violet. They fill in the gaps between the primary and secondary colors, creating an even wider range of shades!

Images for kids

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  The traditional basic colors of pigments: primary red, yellow, blue blended to form secondary orange, green, purple.

See also

In Spanish: Color secundario para niños