The invention relates to novel acetoacetylated lignin resin compositions comprising the reaction product of lignin and an acetoacetate ester. The invention also relates to novel (meth)acrylated lignin resin compositions comprising the reaction product of lignin and a (meth)acrylic compound. The invention also relates to methods of making the novel acetoacetylated lignin resin compositions and the novel (meth)acrylated lignin resin compositions. The invention also relates to curable coating compositions comprising the novel acetoacetylated lignin resin composition or (meth)acrylated lignin resin composition. The invention also relates to methods of making the curable coating compositions of the invention. The invention also relates to methods of applying curable coating compositions of the invention to substrates. The invention also relates to articles of manufacture comprising a curable coating composition of the invention and a method of making such article.