Black, the absence of color or the culmination of all colors? The enigma of black has fascinated artists, scientists, and curious minds for centuries. In this blog post, we'll explore what colors make black the intriguing world of color theory and reveal the surprising process behind creating the deepest shade in the spectrum.

The Absence of Color

Black is often considered the absence of color in the traditional subtractive color model. In this model, colors are created by subtracting specific wavelengths of light from white. When all colors are subtracted, what remains is black.

The Additive Color Model

In the additive color model, colors are created by adding different wavelengths of light together. This model is commonly used in electronic devices like computer monitors, televisions, and smartphones. Surprisingly, black is not created by combining all colors; instead, it is achieved by turning off all light sources.

Mixing Pigments to Make Black

In the subtractive color model, black is created by mixing together the three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. When equal parts of these three primary colors are combined, they theoretically absorb all wavelengths of light, resulting in black. However, in practice, this mixture may appear more like a dark, muddy brown due to impurities in pigments.