Colors can be grouped into different categories based on their properties and how they are created. The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. When any two primary colors are mixed together, they make the secondary colors of orange, green and purple. When a primary and secondary color are mixed together, they create the tertiary colors.
Understanding Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colors
The primary colors are the most basic colors and can be thought of as the “parent” colors. They cannot be created by mixing other colors together. The three primary colors are red, yellow and blue.
Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors together in equal amounts. For example, if you mix red and yellow, you get orange. If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. And if you mix red and blue, you get purple. The secondary colors are orange, green and purple.
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. For example, if you mix the primary color red with the secondary color orange, you get red-orange. Other tertiary colors are yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple and red-purple. Tertiary colors have a combination name showing their primary and secondary color components.
The color wheel below shows how the primary, secondary and tertiary colors relate to each other:
| Primary Colors | Secondary Colors | Tertiary Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Orange | Red-Orange |
| Yellow | Green | Yellow-Orange |
| Blue | Purple | Yellow-Green |
| Blue-Green | ||
| Blue-Purple | ||
| Red-Purple |
So in summary, the primary colors are red, yellow and blue. The secondary colors are orange, green and purple. And the tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. This includes red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple and red-purple.
Listing the Tertiary Colors
Let’s list out the tertiary colors again:
- Red-orange
- Yellow-orange
- Yellow-green
- Blue-green
- Blue-purple
- Red-purple
There are 6 tertiary colors that come from combining the 3 primary colors (red, yellow, blue) with the 3 secondary colors (orange, green, purple).
Which Color is Not a Tertiary Color?
Looking at the list of tertiary colors, you may have noticed one color that stands out – white. White is not considered a tertiary color because it is not made by mixing a primary and secondary color. In fact, white contains no pigment at all. White is the presence of all visible wavelengths of light.
So to summarize, the tertiary colors are:
- Red-orange
- Yellow-orange
- Yellow-green
- Blue-green
- Blue-purple
- Red-purple
The color that is not a tertiary color is white. White contains all wavelengths of visible light and is not created by mixing two other colors.
Properties of White Light
Let’s discuss some key properties of white light:
- White light contains all wavelengths of visible light. It is composed of different colors from the visible spectrum blended together.
- White appears colorless or neutral because it contains a balance of all visible colors.
- The sun produces white light that appears yellowish or whitish depending on its position in the sky. Direct overhead sunlight appears more white.
- White objects and surfaces reflect nearly all wavelengths of visible light equally. Black objects and surfaces absorb most visible wavelengths and reflect little back.
- White light can be created by mixing the primary colors of light (red, green, blue). This is different from mixing pigments.
- White is important for good color rendition – seeing objects in their true, intended color under a white light source.
So in summary, white contains all visible wavelengths, appears colorless, and reflects light equally. It is not defined by any particular wavelength or band of wavelengths. This makes it different from all other colors in the visible spectrum.
How White Relates to Other Colors
It can help to understand how white is related to both the primary colors and black:
- Primary colors – White contains all the primary colors blended together. The primary colors are red, yellow and blue.
- Black – Black is the absence of light. White is the presence of all visible light wavelengths.
- Shades of gray – Adding black to white creates shades of gray. Grays are neutral colors between white and black.
So while white contains all the primary colors, it is not defined as a primary, secondary or tertiary color itself. White stands apart as a color containing the complete visible spectrum of light.
Uses and Meaning of White
Some common uses, meanings and symbolism of the color white include:
- Cleanliness – White often represents cleanliness, purity, innocence and neutrality.
- Simplicity – White can portray simplicity, minimalism and efficiency.
- Space – White helps spaces feel open, airy and expansive.
- Peace – White is associated with peace, calmness and tranquility.
- Safety – White provides good visibility and is often used for safety signs and signals.
- Perfection – Culturally, white is seen as perfect, immaculate, pristine.
- Weddings – White is a traditional wedding color representing purity and new beginnings.
- Neutrality – White provides a neutral backdrop as an interior design color.
So while white has many positive connotations, it also works well as a neutral, flexible color for design. The color psychology and meaning of white can vary across cultures as well.
White vs. Black in Design
In design, white and black are often used in contrast with each other. Here are some key considerations:
- Legibility – black text on a white background provides high contrast and legibility.
- Space – White makes spaces feel open, black makes spaces feel intimate.
- Balance – Too much white can feel sterile, too much black can feel heavy.
- Accents – Black is often used for text and outlines, white for space and backgrounds.
- Neutrality – Both are neutral colors that allow other colors to stand out.
- Readability – Large blocks of black text on a white screen can strain the eyes.
So white and black work well together by providing contrast. Large blocks of pure white or black should be balanced with plenty of visual interest and color accents as needed.
Conclusion
In summary, the tertiary colors are made by mixing one primary color with one secondary color. The tertiary colors are red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple and red-purple.
White is not considered a tertiary color because it does not contain specific mixed hues. White contains all wavelengths of visible light equally. It acts as a neutral backdrop to other colors. White balances and completes the visible color spectrum.
While not technically a color, white has many design uses and meanings, often representing cleanliness, simplicity and purity. It contrasts with black, which absorbs light. Together, white and black can provide dramatic contrast in design when balanced thoughtfully.
So the answer to “which color is not a tertiary color?” is white. Keep this in mind the next time you explore color mixing and the relationships between different colors!