What are considered the primary colors in art and design?

The primary colors in art and design are yellow, red, and blue. These colors are considered fundamental because they cannot be created by mixing other colors together. Instead, they serve as the building blocks for all other colors. When mixed in various combinations, these colors can generate a wide spectrum of secondary colors (such as orange, green, and purple) and further expand into a full color wheel.

This understanding is crucial for artists and designers, as it allows them to create a harmonious palette and achieve the desired effects in their work. Other combinations, such as red, green, and blue, are specific to the RGB color model primarily used for digital screens, while cyan, magenta, and yellow are part of the CMY color model used in color printing. Thus, the context of the medium—be it painting, screen design, or printing—plays a vital role in applying the concept of primary colors effectively.