Which colors are considered the primary colors of pigments?

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The primary colors of pigments are cyan, yellow, and magenta. These colors are fundamental in the subtractive color mixing process, which is how pigments and inks mix to create other colors. When these primary colors are combined in different ways, they can produce a wide range of colors.

In the subtractive color model, light absorbs certain wavelengths and reflects others. For example, cyan absorbs red light, yellow absorbs blue light, and magenta absorbs green light. When combined, these colors can create secondary colors such as red, green, and blue, which are commonly known in additive color mixing.

The other choices represent different categories or models of color. Red, blue, and green are the primary colors of light in the additive color model, which is different from the pigment model. Black, white, and gray refer to shades rather than colors, and cyan, purple, and green do not contain the primary colors used in pigment mixing. Understanding the role of cyan, yellow, and magenta highlights the essential nature of the subtractive color mixing system used in paints, inks, and other color mediums.