What distinguishes tertiary colors in relation to primary colors?

Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color, resulting in hues like red-orange or blue-green. What distinguishes them is the naming convention: the primary color is always named first, followed by the secondary color. This systematic approach helps in understanding and identifying the relationship between colors, illustrating how they are derived from the foundational primary and secondary colors.

The other options do not accurately describe tertiary colors. While vibrancy can vary, it is not a defining quality of tertiary colors. Tertiary colors do not inherently contain white; the addition of white primarily relates to tinting techniques. Furthermore, the mixing of primary and secondary colors to create tertiary colors is not done in equal ratios, as the dominant influence of the primary color leads to a hue that leans closer to it. Thus, the naming structure of tertiary colors underscores their relationship to primary and secondary colors, highlighting this hierarchical structure in color theory.