Colors in colors?

Question

If white is the prescence of all colors and black is the absence of all colors, why is it that when you mix all the colors of paint you possibly can, you get black?

Answer 1

Two different situations

Each color is caused by a particular wavelength of light. So if your eye receives say a red wavelength, and a blue wavelength, they will add together to make purple. If your eye receives all colors, it "adds up" to white.

But pigments (paints) act differently. Basically, instead of each color adding to your final perception, pigments subtract color from your final perception. Blue paint, for example, absorbs most of the colors except blue. Blue is reflected back to your eye, which is why the pigment appears to be that color. Take Red, for example, and that pigment absorbs all of the colors except red. So now, when you add them together, the two pigments start absorbing the light waves that each is supposed to. Since the blue pigment will absorb the red, and the red pigment will absorb the blue, little color is reflected. Since neither pigment will absorb 100% of the light (and since the pigments don't mix well), you might still get a purple tinge, but it's darker. Throw in another color, and you get even more light waves absorbed, and you you'll eventually get black.

I tried to simplify the explanation. I hope I managed to make sense.

Answer 2

because "white is the prescence of all colors and black is the absence of all colors" is about light. paint isnt

Answer 3

paint colors are dark colors

Answer 4

because it absences all the colors, where as the precence of them keeps them intact as their own

Answer 5

interesting.....but dont care.