What does 'additive color' usually involve?

Additive color involves the combination of different colored light beams. This process occurs when various colors of light are mixed together to create a new color. In additive color theory, the primary colors of light are red, green, and blue, and when they are combined in different intensities, they produce a wide spectrum of colors.

In contrast, other options refer to different concepts. The mixing of physical pigments pertains to subtractive color mixing, where pigments absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. The use of colored gels is also related to modifying light but does not encompass the broader concept of additive color mixing itself. Lastly, layering of set pieces involves the physical arrangement of objects in a theater setting, which does not relate to color theory. Understanding additive color is fundamental in fields like theater lighting design, where the manipulation of colored light is essential for creating specific moods and effects.