Final answer:
Triadic colors are a group of three colors that are equally spaced around the color wheel, forming a triangle. This creates a harmonious and balanced color scheme with high contrast and is distinct from analogous and complementary colors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colors such as orange, violet, and green, which are equally spaced from each other on the color wheel, are called triadic colors. The term triadic refers to a group of three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, forming a triangle when lines are drawn between them.
This spacing creates a harmonious and balanced set of colors that can be used effectively in art and design. An example of a triadic color scheme would include red, yellow, and blue - the three primary colors. These triadic combinations are often vibrant and offer a high contrast while retaining color harmony.
This is different from analogous colors, which are colors next to one another on the color wheel and blend together smoothly, and complementary colors, which are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.
Analogous colors are colors that are equally spaced from each other on the color wheel. These colors tend to blend together smoothly. For example, orange, violet, and green are analogous colors because they are next to each other on the color wheel.