A Disney animator has made spellbinding recreations of Ariel and the Beast using a VR headset. After spending nearly 40 years at Disney creating some of its most iconic characters, Glen Keane has completely rediscovered his craft by embracing the new technology, Digital Spy reports.

"These are not drawings, they are real characters that exist in my own life," he notes.

Keane feels like he is finally able to draw the characters he has always dreamed of, creating life-sized versions and diving into their world.

"Immersing myself in space is more like a dance. What is this amazing new world I've just stepped into?

"The character can turn, Ariel is actually turning in space. Even if I take the goggles off, I'm still remembering she's right there, it's real."

According to Keane, virtual reality eradicates the flatness of the paper, which better brings his creations to life.

"The doorway to the imagination is opened a little wider," he continues. "The edges of the paper are no longer there. This is not a flat drawing, this is sculptural drawing."

Sony and Oculus are among those launching their own VR headsets next year, while HTC's headset is tipped to hit shops before Christmas.