Subtractive Color System

The subtractive primary colors are

Cyan, Magenta and Yellow

Adding two subtractive primary colors

will transmit one of the primary additive colors

Adding all three subtractive primary color

will absorb all the colors of the white light spectrum

Subtractive color system uses

colorants and reflected light

Objects create color by

subtracting or absorbing certain wavelengths of color while reflecting other wavelengths back to the viewer.

Each subtractive primary color absorbs

an additive primary color

Cyan absorbs

red

Magenta absorbs

green

Yellow absorbs

blue

You start with an object that reflects light and use colorants (dyes or pigments) to

subtract portions of the white light that is shining on the object.