What is true about colors that harmonize?

Colors that harmonize typically share a visual relationship that can be defined through their placement on the color wheel. When colors are next to each other on the color wheel, they create a harmonious effect known as an analogous color scheme. This type of scheme often generates a cohesive and pleasing aesthetic, as the colors blend well and complement each other due to their inherent similarity.

The concept of harmony in color theory emphasizes how well colors work together, and being next to each other on the wheel is foundational to achieving this effect. This relationship can be useful in various design fields, such as graphic design, interior design, and fashion, where creating a visually appealing composition is essential.

Other options like being always complementary, being shades of the same color, or creating a monochromatic scheme, while they can also produce harmony, do not universally define all forms of color harmonization. Complementary colors, for instance, are opposite each other on the color wheel and create contrast rather than harmony, while monochromatic schemes involve different shades of a single color and may not always apply across all types of color relationships.