What is the significance of using complementary colors in art?

Using complementary colors in art is significant because they enhance one another's visual impact when placed side by side. Complementary colors are located opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green. When these colors are juxtaposed, they produce a vibrant contrast that can make each hue appear more intense and vivid.

This principle is often utilized by artists to create focal points and increase the overall visual interest of a composition. The strong contrast created by complementary colors can draw the viewer's eye and help to highlight important elements within the artwork. Additionally, the use of complementary colors can evoke certain feelings or responses, making them a powerful tool for expression in visual art.

The other choices, while they touch on different aspects of color theory, do not capture the primary significance of complementary colors in the same way. The first choice about creating discord does not reflect the harmony that can actually be achieved with complementary colors when used thoughtfully. The third choice, suggesting that complementary colors represent sadness, is not accurate, as color meanings can vary widely and are not limited to emotional states. Lastly, the mention of monochromatic schemes is unrelated, as monochromatic color schemes utilize variations of a single hue rather than contrasting colors from different sides of the color wheel.