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How does additive colour mixing differ from subtractive colour mixing?

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A circular RYB color wheel divided into twelve segments, showing a progression of colors from red, orange, and yellow to green, blue, and violet. — colour The RYB color model is being illustrated on a color wheel.

Additive and subtractive colour mixing are distinct processes based on how light is combined or removed to produce perceived colours.1

Additive Colour Mixing

Additive mixture occurs when beams of light are combined. When light sources of different colours overlap, their spectral components are added together. The primary colours for this process are red, green, and blue; when these are mixed in equal amounts, they produce white light. This principle is the basis for the RGB colour model used in digital displays and light-based media.1

Subtractive Colour Mixing

Subtractive mixing involves the absorption of specific parts of the light spectrum. This occurs when using colorants like pigments or dyes, or when passing light through coloured filters. Instead of adding light, these materials subtract or absorb certain wavelengths, reflecting or transmitting only the remainder. The subtractive primaries are cyan (red-absorbing), magenta (green-absorbing), and yellow (blue-absorbing). Mixing these pigments results in the absorption of light; for instance, combining all three typically results in black.1