Subtractive color model

The subtractive color model is a blend of pigments, inks, paints, or dyes. It is termed "subtractive" because, with the addition of each new color, the mixture reflects less light and becomes darker, progressively tending towards black.

In art, the subtractive color model is based on the primary colors most of us learned as children — red, yellow, and blue. In printing and design, the subtractive color model is based on cyan, magenta, and yellow. More colors can be accurately reproduced by combining these 3 hues along with a key color such as black.