A wooded river landscape with a shepherd and his cattle in the foreground, a castle beyond

Tennant was primarily a self-taught artist, although he is known to have taken lessons with the marine artist, William Anderson (1757-1837). Aside from some historical genre scenes, Tennant is best known for his river and coastal landscapes, often in and around Devon and Wales, both areas in which the artist is known to have lived for prolonged periods. He exhibited at the R.A. 1820-1867, and was a member of the Society of British Artists, Suffolk Street.