What are the primary colors?

The primary colors are defined as the foundational colors from which a wide range of other colors can be created through mixing. In traditional color theory, especially in art and design, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These colors cannot be created by mixing other colors together, yet they can be combined in various ways to produce secondary colors, such as orange (from red and yellow), green (from yellow and blue), and violet (from blue and red).

The concept of primary colors is crucial because it serves as the basis for understanding color mixing and the entire color wheel. Artists utilize this foundational trio to create a vibrant palette by adding different combinations of these colors with white, black, or other colors to adjust hue, saturation, and value. As such, recognizing red, yellow, and blue as primary colors is vital for students and practitioners in the field of art.