1. A method for processing a color image comprising a plurality of pixels, each having color components represented by numerical values, to identify a characteristic color representative of the image, the method including: separating into groups the numerical values of the color components of pixels with similar colors; determining for each group a representative color having color component values based on the color component values of pixels represented by the group; selecting from the representative colors of all of the groups a color that is characteristic of the color image; and displaying on a display component as the characteristic color a color having the color component values of the selected representative color.