NCIDQ IDFX Practice Exam

What defines subtractive colors in design?

1. Colors created with light

2. Colors absorbed by objects

3. Colors represented in digital formats

4. Colors achieved through mixing primary lights

The correct answer is: Colors absorbed by objects

The concept of subtractive colors is fundamentally based on the way colors are created when pigments or dyes are mixed. Subtractive color mixing occurs when colors are produced by the absorption and reflection of light. In this process, certain wavelengths of light are absorbed by a colored surface, while others are reflected back to the observer's eye, creating the perception of color. When pigments are mixed, each pigment absorbs specific wavelengths and reflects others. For example, a mixture of yellow and blue pigments would absorb certain wavelengths while reflecting only those that combine to create green, which is perceived by our eyes. This principle is essential in various applications, including painting, printing, and other forms of visual art where color mixing occurs through materials. The other options relate to different color systems: colors created with light pertain to additive color mixing, where different light colors are combined to create new colors. Options referencing colors represented in digital formats or achieved through mixing primary lights also reflect the additive approach, which focuses on how light contributes to color perception rather than the absorption of wavelengths by pigments. Thus, the definition rooted in the absorption of colors aligns accurately with the principles of subtractive color theory.