Subtractive Color Mixing (Pigments)

Subtractive color mixing occurs when pigments, dyes, or paints absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. This is the principle behind printing, painting, and most physical art materials. Unlike light mixing (additive), pigment mixing subtracts wavelengths from white light.

The three primary colors of pigments are Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow (CMY). When all three are combined at full intensity, they create black by absorbing all light.