Yellow is a bright, warm color that is often associated with happiness, sunshine, and optimism. But where does this cheery hue come from? Unlike primary colors red, blue, and yellow which can’t be created by mixing other colors, yellow is a secondary color that is formed by combining primary colors in different proportions.
Green and Red Make Yellow
The most common way to make yellow is by mixing the primary colors green and red. Green and red are on opposite sides of the color wheel, making them complementary colors. When blended together, these opposite hues neutralize each other and create the vibrant secondary color yellow.
The more green paint or light that is added, the more lime and chartreuse the yellow becomes. Adding more red results in a more golden, amber yellow. By adjusting the ratios of green and red, different shades of yellow can be produced.
Here is a table showing some shades of yellow made by mixing red and green:
| Color Ratio | Yellow Shade |
|---|---|
| 2 parts green + 1 part red | Lime yellow |
| 1 part green + 1 part red | Lemon yellow |
| 1 part green + 2 parts red | Golden yellow |
When red and green light mixes, the same color combinations are created. Combining green and red light is how yellow is produced on TV screens and computer monitors.
Blue and Green Make Yellow
Another set of primary colors that blend together to make yellow are blue and green. Blue and green are next to each other on the color wheel, making them analogous colors.
Mixing blue and green paint or light results in shades of yellow that are muted, dull, and olive-tinged. The more blue that is added, the murkier the yellow becomes. Adding more green creates brighter, lime yellows.
Here are some examples of blue and green color mixes that form yellow:
| Color Ratio | Yellow Shade |
|---|---|
| 2 parts blue + 1 part green | Mustard yellow |
| 1 part blue + 1 part green | Khaki yellow |
| 1 part blue + 2 parts green | Chartreuse yellow |
These earthy, muted yellows are more subtle and are common in nature like banana peels, butter, and fallen leaves.
Primary Yellow
The third primary color, yellow, can also be considered its own primary shade. Unlike green and violet, primary yellow cannot be created by mixing other paint colors.
Primary yellow has a bright, lemony hue and sits between green and orange on the color wheel. This vivid shade is the purest and brightest form of yellow.
True primary yellow is used as a base to mix green, orange, and other shades of yellow. Adding white makes it lighter, while adding black results in darker, olive and mustard yellows. Primary yellow paint is created from the mineral cadmium sulfide.
Secondary Colors Combined
You can make yellow by mixing secondary colors as well. Green, violet, and orange are considered the secondary colors.
Mixing green and violet paint or light produces a bright, zesty yellow. The more green is added, the more lime the color becomes. Extra violet results in a more golden yellow.
Combining the secondary colors orange and green also makes yellow hues. Orange and green are complementary colors, so they neutralize each other. Adding more orange leads to warmer, amber-like yellows. Increasing the amount of green results in chartreuse-tinged yellows.
| Color Combo | Yellow Shade |
|---|---|
| Green + Violet | Bright lemon yellow |
| Orange + Green | Goldenrod yellow |
Tertiary Yellows
Tertiary colors are made by combining a primary color with a secondary color. These colors are more complex and subtle than primary and secondary hues.
There are several tertiary color combinations that can be blended to create different yellow shades:
- Red-orange + Green = Spicy yellow
- Red + Green-yellow = Rusty yellow
- Yellow-orange + Green = Chartreuse yellow
- Yellow-green + Red-violet = Amber yellow
Adjusting the ratios of the two tertiary colors results in a wide range of yellow tones, from spicy mustard to sickly avocado yellow.
Warm and Cool Yellows
Based on how they are formed, yellows are categorized into warm and cool shades.
Warm yellows lean towards orange and red on the color wheel. They include shades like golden yellow, amber, and sunset yellow. Warm yellows are energetic and are associated with sunshine, fire, and fall leaves.
Cool yellows have hints of green and blue. They include bright lemon, lime, and neon yellow. Cool yellows are uplifting and remind people of spring, lemonade, and daisies.
| Warm Yellows | Cool Yellows |
|---|---|
| Goldenrod | Lemon |
| Amber | Chartreuse |
| Sunset | Spring bud |
| Honey | Neon |
Knowing what primary colors mix together to form different yellows allows artists, designers, and even kids mixing paints to create the exact yellow shade they want!
Yellow in Printing and Pixels
In four color printing, yellow is one of the primary colors along with cyan, magenta, and black (CMYK). The CMYK color model is used for printing presses, inkjets, and other subtractive color methods.
By overlaying cyan, magenta and yellow inks in different ratios, a wide spectrum of colors can be produced. For bright yellows, a high concentration of the yellow ink is used.
On TV and computer screens that emit light, RGB (red, green, blue) is the primary color model. Yellow is created in pixels by turning on green and red light at high intensities. Varying the luminance of the green and red pixels results in different shades of additive yellow.
Pigments that Produce Yellow
Natural and synthetic pigments are used to create yellow paints, dyes, and inks. Here are some of the most common yellow colorants:
- Cadmium yellow – Cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide. Toxic, but brilliant opaque yellows.
- Hansa yellow – Synthetic organic azo pigments. Non-toxic with excellent lightfastness.
- Lead-tin yellow – Lead and tin oxide. Opaque and toxic, mainly used historically.
- Naples yellow – Lead antimonate. Opaque and toxic natural mineral pigment.
- Titanium yellow – Nickel and titanium oxide. Opaque and non-toxic.
Organic dyes like anthraquinone and flavonoid yellow are used for dyeing fabrics and food. Plant-derived dyes such as saffron, turmeric, and chamomile contain yellow pigments and have been used since ancient times.
Concepts and Culture of Yellow
Yellow has distinct symbolism and meanings across different cultures:
- In Western cultures, yellow represents sunshine, joy, and optimism.
- In Eastern cultures, yellow symbolizes courage, royalty, and prosperity.
- In Mexico, yellow represents death and mourning.
- In Egypt, yellow was associated with gold and eternal life.
- In China, only the emperor wore yellow.
- In Hinduism, yellow is the color of merchants and farmers.
Common expressions using the color yellow include “yellow bellied” meaning cowardly, “yellow journalism” referring to sensationalism, and “yellow peril” which originally meant the threat of Asian people to the Western world.
In color psychology, yellow promotes logical thinking and quick decision making. It captures attention which is why it is used for warning signs and taxi cabs.
While often cheerful, too much yellow can provoke anxiety, frustration and criticism in some people. Babies also cry more in yellow rooms compared to soft blue and green rooms.
Conclusion
Yellow is a popular secondary color that comes in a wide variety of shades. Mixing the primary colors green and red makes average yellows. Combining the secondaries green and violet results in bright, pure yellows. Adjusting the ratios and adding white or black creates lighter and darker yellow tones.
Warm yellows that lean towards orange and red are energetic. Cool yellows that contain hints of blue and green are uplifting. Knowing how to blend primary, secondary, and tertiary colors allows artists and designers to make any yellow they desire.
Yellow has cultural symbolism related to joy, sunshine, and royalty. But it can also provoke negative feelings like fear and cowardice. The vibrant color yellow grabs attention, sparking both positive and negative psychological responses.