RYB vs CMYK for art

What are RYB and CMYK and what is the difference between them? Given limited color choices, which method will give you the highest chroma colors? Why is RYB possibly an outdated concept?

These kind of questions are what I will attempt to answer in this article - traditional style! As always, I'm still learning myself so if you spot any errors or want to add something, please feel free to drop a feedback. Now, let's get started!

_{Bigger image
(fig. 1) - Homemade chart by Hive account@dm7 in watercolors}

RYB Color Model

Known as red, yellow, and blue _{(see fig. 1 on the left side)}, this old subtractive color model is designed for mixing painting pigments with primary colors.

The first model can be found in 1613 by Franciscus Aguilonius; however, it wasn't arranged in a wheel _{(see fig. 2)}. RYB primary colors became a standard theory of color vision in 18th century supported by psychological color effects, such as "complementary" or opposing hues that our eyes see as afterimages. Its secondary colors consist orange, green, and purple. At this time, the difference between subtractive and additive color model didn't exist.

CMYK Color Model

It stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black) colors _{(see fig. 1 on the right side)}.

This modern, subtractive process color, four color model has been scientifically established to give the most color output for the printer while saving the cost and space. Secondary colors are made of red, green, and blue. It is an improved theory that shows the difference between subtractive (CMYK) and additive (RGB) model.

Which gives highest chroma colors?

As an artist with a limited budget or one who just want to start out with a limited color palette, no doubt you want to know the straight answer to this question. Well, you're in luck here because I did a lot of experiments on that. Let's check out my RYB and CYMK comparison done in gouaches _{(see fig. 4)}.

_{Bigger image
(fig. 4) - Homemade chart by Hive account@dm7 in gouaches}

In RYB color model, you can see that from red to yellow, the color mix gave a vibrant result, but it becomes dull and somewhat muddy as you go on toward blue and back to red. It is because this ultramarine blue has a bit of red in it which dulls down the green. Same for red, it has a bit of yellow in it; thus, it dials down all purples.

As you may have noticed in CMYK model, all colors obtained from mix seems to be more or less equally vibrant and cleaner. It is not perfect though. Notice the blue I mixed from cyan and magenta is less vibrant than ultramarine blue in RYB wheel. Same for red, it's slightly less vibrant... just barely.

I also have tested it in watercolors _{(fig. 1)}, oil paint and digital medium (sorry, no example at the moment, but I could create one by request) and this concept still holds true.

So therefore, with this account and my experiences carefully weighted in,

CMYK wins this round!

Yay!

💖💛💚💙💜💖💛💚💙💜

Stay tuned for upcoming articles where we will dig even deeper!

Here are possible articles - it's up to you to tell me what you want to read about. :)

• What are complementary colors? Which model is better for complementary colors?
• Limited palette, Zorn palette as an example
• Split primary color palette
• Transparency and opacity
• Oil paint pigments, is it worth having an expensive pigment? Cobalt blue for example and compare it to other blue pigments. Also if possible, find the closest pigment as a cheap alternative. Cadmium, is it good to have? Etc.
• Art fundamentals
• Art supply reviews
• My art and my progress

Well, you get the idea.

💖💛💚💙💜Thank you so much for reading and for your support!!! 💖💛💚💙💜

Also dear steemians, please let me know what you think of this article. Do you agree with me on this? Also, if you have any questions, please don't feel hesitate to ask! :) If there's anything I can improve on this or help out, please let me know since I'm just a new steemian here.

Cheers!
@Dm7