What is formed by equal amounts of a secondary color and its neighboring primary colors?

A tertiary color is created by mixing equal amounts of a secondary color with its neighboring primary colors. This process introduces complexity and variety to the color palette, allowing for a broader range of hues that can be achieved through blending.

For example, mixing purple (a secondary color) with blue (its neighboring primary color) produces blue-violet, a tertiary color. This highlights the relationship between the colors on the color wheel, as tertiary colors are positioned between the primary and secondary colors they derive from.

In contrast, complementary colors are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel and create a stark contrast when paired. Primary colors are the foundation hues (red, blue, and yellow) that cannot be created by mixing other colors. Neutral colors are formed by combining all three primary colors or by mixing complementary colors, leading to shades like gray or brown, but they do not relate directly to the relationship of neighboring colors and secondary hues. Understanding these distinctions helps in both color theory and practical applications in esthetics.