What is the primary distinction between primary and secondary colors in art?

The primary distinction between primary and secondary colors lies in the way they are created. Secondary colors are derived from the mixing of two primary colors in equal parts, resulting in colors like green, orange, and purple. This process highlights the foundational role that primary colors play in color theory, as they cannot be created by mixing other colors together — they are the building blocks for all other colors.

The other options are not accurate in this context. While it is true that primary colors can be mixed to create secondary colors, the statement regarding primary colors being capable of mixing from pigments does not emphasize their fundamental nature as the base colors. Additionally, the claim that primary colors encompass all colors in the spectrum is misleading because only the primary colors contribute to creating other colors through mixing. Lastly, the notion that secondary colors are always darker than primary colors lacks consistency since the lightness or darkness of colors can vary based on the specific hues used. Thus, the correct answer reflects a crucial aspect of color theory that distinguishes between the origin and creation of color categories.