What term is used for the process of subtracting colors to predict the appearance of an object?

The term for the process of subtracting colors to predict the appearance of an object is indeed Color Subtraction. This process refers to the way colors are mixed in such a manner that specific wavelengths of light are absorbed (subtracted) from the visible spectrum while others are reflected, resulting in the appearance of color to the viewer.

In color subtraction, pigments or dyes work by absorbing certain wavelengths of light and reflecting others. For example, if a pigment that absorbs red light is combined with one that absorbs green light, the resulting mixture reflects only the blue wavelengths, so the object will appear blue to an observer. This method is primarily utilized in practices like printing and painting, where the mixing of various pigments can define the final appearance of colors.

Color addition, on the other hand, involves the mixing of light colors (like in digital screens), where different light colors are combined to create new colors through additive processes. Color dilution typically refers to reducing the concentration or intensity of a color without necessarily mixing it with others, and color reduction is not a standard term used in color theory. Therefore, Color Subtraction is the correct term that directly corresponds to the described process of manipulating colors to predict the appearance of an object.