Each paint pigment owes its color to the kind of light rays it absorbs and deflects. White absorbs little or no light while black absorb most of the light and reflect little, Pigments do not produce pure color sensations because of the light rays they absorb and deflect. Vermillion, for example, absorbs the blue waves and most of the yellow waves; and reflects some of those yellow waves as well as the red ones which is why vermilion gives the sensation of a yellowish red.

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Glossary of Color Terms
Glossary of basic color terms for painters includes an explanation of primary and secondary colors, hue, tints and shades and other terms to help you understand these painting terms.